By ARABELLA SERRATA
Special to the NEWS
San Benito CISD held its regular board meeting on May 14, highlighting student accomplishments, reorganizing leadership, and reviewing important academic and financial reports.
The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Hazel Olivares and the invocation delivered by Mathew Adam Barrera, both students at Dr. C.M. Cash Elementary. The Board also gave special recognition to its outgoing officers and announced a reorganization. Dr. Ariel Cruz-Vela was named Board President, Crystal Hernandez was selected as Vice President, and Israel Villarreal III was appointed Secretary.
Exiting Board President, Orlando “Papas” Lopez took to social media to reflect on his time as board leader. “I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each of my fellow board members for the opportunity to serve as President of the San Benito CISD Board of Trustees over the past two years. It has been an incredible honor, and a deeply meaningful experience to lead alongside such a dedicated and passionate team,” he said.
“I would like to especially acknowledge Dr. Ariel Cruz, who served as Vice President, and Mr. Rudy Corona, who served as Secretary. Your leadership, support, and collaboration have been invaluable, and I’m truly grateful for the partnership we’ve shared in guiding our district forward.
Together, we’ve faced challenges, made important decisions, and worked to ensure the best possible outcomes for our students, staff, and community. I remain proud of what we’ve accomplished and confident in the continued strength of this board,” he concluded.
Cruz-Vela responded by replying, “I can’t thank you enough. You have always believed in me and allowed me to have a voice on this board of trustees. We have been through a lot.
Looking back, I can’t believe where we started and where we are now. It has been a pleasure to serve with you and Rudy Corona! I know that we will continue to move SBCISD in a positive direction.”
Several recognitions followed. Lupita Pina received the Texas A&M University “Very Important Counselor” award, and Sullivan Environmental Science Academy teacher Cora Mendez was honored with the EcoRise Student Innovation Grant Certificate of Achievement. Riverside Middle School student Lisabella Renee Gamez was recognized for winning second place in the annual Poetry Society of Texas contest for her poem, The Moon Over the Ocean.
San Benito High School student Lluvia Silva was honored for winning first place in the 2025 Texas Association for Pupil Transportation Bus Safety Poster Contest. Students who participated in Special Olympics were also celebrated.
San Benito High School’s Class of 2025 honor graduates—including the top ten students, dual enrollment and associate degree recipients, and GATES Scholarship awardees—were acknowledged for their academic success.
Athletic achievements were highlighted, including the SBHS Boys Powerlifting Team qualifying for regionals and state, and the Girls Varsity Track and Field Team from SBHS and Veterans Memorial Academy being named 32-6A District Champions and Regional Qualifiers. The SBHS Boys Track and Field Team also qualified for Region IV.
In fine arts, the SBHS San Benito Greyhound Choir was recognized for being selected as TMEA All-State Vocalists. Both the SBHS and Veterans Memorial Academy choirs were commended for advancing to State, Pre-Area, and Area competitions. Riverside Middle School Choir received “superior” ratings at the 2025 UIL Choir Evaluation, and Miller Jordan Middle School’s Treble and Tenor Bass Choruses were recognized for their performance and sight-reading evaluations.
The SBHS Greyhound Band, Guitar Ensemble, Orchestra, and Conjunto groups were also recognized for their achievements in state solo and ensemble competitions. Additionally, several campuses earned Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase recognition for fostering positive school cultures. Dr. C.M. Cash Elementary and Dr. Raul Garza STEAM Academy were named 2024 Honor Roll Schools. The Miller Jordan Middle School ACE Barbecue Club was also acknowledged for tying for “Best Food and Desserts” at El Sabor de San Benito.
During public comments, Mary Maney thanked the board for its support and advocated for a beginning-of-the-year stipend. She also praised the efforts of teachers and staff in supporting student competitions. Superintendent Fred Perez closed the recognitions by thanking board members and reflecting on the academic year.
Dilla Cornett, Assistant Superintendent of Academics, presented the Office of Academics’ End-of-Year Report. She highlighted the district’s progress in instructional training, goal-setting tools such as “Playground,” and initiatives like Texas Reads and daycare partnerships. Special attention was given to programs supporting bilingual and special population students, who are now employed across district partnerships.
Cornett noted significant growth in College Board National Recognition Scholars, increasing from 24 in 2024 to 61 in 2025, and a rise in associate degree recipients from 14 to 18. Career and Technical Education programs also saw growth, with Industry-Based Certification recipients increasing from 409 in 2023–2024 to 998 in 2024–2025.
She also discussed efforts to clarify the Teacher Incentive Allotment, support for new and current teachers, and counseling programs that assist students during school transitions. Early childhood students showed strong performance, with pre-K students ranking above the 80th percentile in phonological awareness and math growth. Cornett concluded by outlining future goals, including academic leadership retreats and more focused improvement strategies.
Under the consent agenda, the board approved multiple agreements for the 2025–2026 school year, including partnerships with Region One ESC, Brownsville ISD Adult Continuing Education, and several childcare centers. The board also approved an amendment to the secondary course catalog and an optional flexible school day program.
In business and finance, the board approved April 2025’s financial reports, including cash accounts, revenue and expenditures, tax collections, and check disbursements. Budget amendments, purchases over $50,000, and an extension of the TASB Risk Management Fund for Workers’ Compensation Insurance were also approved.
The board then approved administrative items, including revisions to the 2024–2025 Comprehensive Plan, Board Policy BDAA, and minutes from the April 16 and 30 meetings. Bids for Lot 7, Block 2 of the Commercial Addition property were accepted.
During the executive session, the board approved employment matters and contract renewals for teachers, nurses, and librarians. The non-renewal of one teacher’s contract and the rescission of another termination were also approved.
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