At least five districts in the Rio Grande Valley received a “C’ rating from the Texas Education Agency, including Donna Independent School District.
“Last year has been a difficult year for Donna ISD with a lot of changes from the administration, it’s not an excuse,” said new Donna ISD Superintendent,” Hafedh Azaiez.
Several schools in Donna ISD did not score very high in the TEA ratings including P.S. Garza Elementary, which did not meet state standards in student achievement.
“We have a couple of campuses that had some issues last year and we’re going to target those and really try to focus on their campuses and get them up there where they need to be,” said Efren Ceniceros, Donna ISD Board President.
The district plans to start training and coaching administrators, providing teachers with all the tools they need and increase collaboration with the community.
“We need to get some of the people that can help in the positions to help,” Ceniceros said. “Dr. Azaiez has only been here for about a month so he’s already starting to bring in or move people to the positions that will be more beneficial to the district.”
Other schools in the district, received high ratings and distinctions, including Todd Middle School which celebrated a groundbreaking for a new wing expansion, which is another way Donna ISD plans to improve.
“Our goal is to be at least a “B” for this coming school year, so that’s what we’re going to try very hard to achieve for our students and our community because they deserve the best,” Azaiez said.
Districts can repeal the letter grade they received. The Texas Education Agency will have their final ratings in December.
