MERCEDES — South Texas Independent School District announced it has received an unsolicited gift of $8 million from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, the largest donation in district history.
Scott is a novelist and the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. STISD announced the gift in a news release, saying Scott’s team focuses on identifying organizations with strong leadership teams and results. The team assists Scott in a mission of sharing her wealth. Scott announced that she had given $1.9 billion to 343 organizations over the last seven months.
The funds given are not tied to any specific purpose, but may be used as the district sees fit. STISD said it plans to look closely at how the donation can best complement what the district is already doing to serve the Rio Grande Valley.
STISD Superintendent Marco Antonio Lara Jr., Ed.D., expressed gratitude for the gift received on Nov. 16 and excitement for the future.
“We are humbled by this recognition and grateful to Ms. Scott for her generous donation to STISD. We have an important mission, to provide middle and high school students within the Rio Grande Valley with the best educational opportunities possible to prepare them for life. Every single member of our educational community has played a part in our success to date, and we look forward to continuing our work. Here, we are always innovating, and these funds will allow us to achieve even higher goals for our kids.”
STISD is comprised of four magnet high schools – STISD Health Professions in Mercedes, STISD Medical Professions in Olmito, STISD Science Academy in Mercedes, and STISD World Scholars in Edinburg– as well as two middle schools, STISD Preparatory Academy in Edinburg and STISD Rising Scholars Academy in San Benito, and one virtual campus that includes middle and high school, STISD Virtual Academy. All campuses are tuition-free and serve students from Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy Counties.
