The Donna Independent School District is excited to announce that its Board of Trustees has been selected as one of just five Honor School Boards in Texas for 2024. This extraordinary achievement follows the board’s recent win as the Outstanding School Board of the Year for Region One. The Board will now vie for the title of Texas Outstanding School Board of the Year against four other exceptional contenders.
The TASA School Board Awards Committee praised Donna ISD Board Members for their commitment to early childhood initiatives, their unwavering focus on education improvement, and their fiscally responsible stewardship. The board’s ability to maximize opportunities despite limited resources was also highlighted.
“I am incredibly proud of our Board of Trustees for receiving this well-deserved recognition,” said Superintendent Dr. Angela Dominguez who nominated the Board. “Our board members see their role as an act of service and advocacy. We are incredibly fortunate to have seven trustees who are relentless in their efforts to do what is best for students. There is no doubt that our board members believe in the mission of Donna ISD and they are fully invested in our number-one outcome of graduating all students per their expected graduation date ready for college, career, or the military. They routinely engage with students, staff, and community in positive ways.”
School Board President Fernando Castillo emphasized the collaborative spirit among the board members and the district’s administration as key for being selected. “We function as a cohesive team of eight, including our superintendent,” Castillo said. “By adhering to the Texas Lone Star Governance Program, we maintain a laser focus on improving student outcomes. Our superintendent is empowered to lead the district while we provide unwavering support.”
Castillo continued, “Early childhood education is a cornerstone of our district’s success. We are thrilled that our M. Rivas Primary Discovery Academy recently received the H-E-B Excellence in Education Outstanding Early Childhood program award. This recognition validates our commitment to providing our youngest learners with a strong foundation for future success.”
This is the Board’s second nomination for a state award. In January, the 7-member team was named one of five state finalists for the HEB Excellence in Education Outstanding School Board Award.
“It speaks volumes of how our board is working together and how our goals and vision are the same,” Castillo said. “I really see that it’s made a big difference because we are working collaboratively with our superintendent who has that vision and goal for student success at all levels. We can’t just talk about it but you have to have evidence.”
The Donna ISD community eagerly anticipates the announcement of the Texas Outstanding School Board of the Year on September 27th at the TASA/TASB Convention
