Select Page

The Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) has named the Donna ISD Board of Trustees the 2024 Outstanding School Board — the top honor in the TASA School Board Awards program, which has honored Texas school boards that have demonstrated commitment to their students and to their communities since 1971. The program is sponsored this year by Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union.

The Donna ISD school board was chosen from among five finalists interviewed by a committee of Texas school administrators. The committee was impressed by how the board has come together to earn their community’s trust and by their ability to maximize the opportunities that will make the greatest impact on student outcomes.

“They have a true passion not only for helping students but for eliminating poverty in their community, and that’s why student achievement is so important to them,” said members of the selection committee. “This board is about creating the future by changing the trajectory of their students through learning and student outcomes, and that’s something that’s really exciting to see.”

The committee commended the Donna ISD board for “knowing their goals and knowing their data” and for aligning their budget and the allocation of resources with their shared vision. “They are clearly focused, and as a result, they have seen amazing student outcomes.”

The committee also said that the board’s goal of getting students college-and-career ready is obvious but that “their realization that it starts with early education as a building block to a strong foundation” is what will make their success sustainable over time.

In her nomination of the board for this award, Superintendent Angela Dominguez said: “Donna ISD 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.”

Donna ISD is a public school district serving approximately 13,000 students in Donna, Texas, in Education Service Center Region 1 (the Rio Grande Valley). Donna ISD has about 2,300 employees and two high schools, four middle schools, and 13 elementary schools.

This is the first time in the award program’s history that the Donna ISD school board has received the Outstanding Board award or been chosen as a finalist.

The other four finalists for 2024 Outstanding School Board are: Burkburnett ISD, Region 9; Corpus Christi ISD, Region 2; Grand Prairie ISD, Region 10; and Klein ISD, Region 4.

The 2024 Regional Honor Boards (semifinalists) are: Bellville ISD, Region 6; Como-Pickton ISD, Region 8; Liberty Hill ISD, Region 13; Mansfield ISD, Region 11; Marion ISD, Region 20; Marshall ISD, Region 7; Nederland ISD, Region 5; Ricardo ISD, Region 2 (small district category); Wellington ISD, Region 16.