South Texas ISD Superintendent Marco Antonio Lara Jr. was named regional Superintendent of the Year and will represent Region One in the statewide awards program, Region One ESC said in a news release Monday.
That program recognizes Texas superintendents for excellence and achievement in educational leadership.
“The South Texas ISD community should be extremely proud of Dr. Lara for receiving this honor; it is recognition not only for Dr. Lara as the district’s educational leader but for the South Texas ISD community, as well,” Region One Executive Director Daniel P. King wrote in the release. “Dr. Lara is a model educational leader who is worthy of this recognition. We are proud to have him represent our region in the State Superintendent of the Year program.”
Lara has served STISD for the past four years.
Douglas E. Buchanan, STISD Board of Directors president, said that change has “been a constant and positive force at STISD.”
“Those changes led by Dr. Lara included a rebranding of the district in 2019, establishing a new image for STISD of “Always Innovating, a refocusing of the school campuses offering more opportunities for students, the addition of athletics programs for all campuses, and the implementation of a Flexible Learning Plan to support student learning during the district’s most challenging time, COVID-19,” Buchanan said in the release. “The nomination essay, submitted on behalf of the STISD Board of Directors, described Dr. Lara as “steadfast and committed to doing what is best for the students.”
Nominations were submitted to Region One and reviewed by a select committee.
The State Superintendent of the Year Committee will select five state finalists from regional education service centers nominees and the Superintendent of the Year will be announced in September.
