The Texas Education Agency today announced the removal of the agency’s conservators from Socorro Independent School District following the district’s successful completion of established exit criteria and sustained implementation of corrective actions.
TEA’s announcement marks the end of conservatorship in Socorro ISD and reflects the significant work completed over the past two years to strengthen governance, improve financial and operational systems, increase transparency, address academic compliance concerns, and support long-term student success.
In its announcement, TEA stated that through close collaboration with conservators Dr. Michael Hinojosa and Andrew Kim, Socorro ISD “stabilized district leadership and rectified identified issues.” TEA also noted that the district selected a permanent superintendent, demonstrated effective governance practices, restored a balanced budget, resolved a $42 million deficit, implemented stronger academic compliance controls, and improved transparency and community engagement practices.
“This is a meaningful moment for Socorro ISD and for our entire community,” Superintendent James Vasquez said. “TEA’s decision recognizes the hard work Team SISD has done to address challenges, strengthen systems, and build a stronger foundation for the future. We are grateful to Dr. Michael Hinojosa, Andrew Kim, TEA staff, our Board of Trustees, employees, families, and community for their partnership and support throughout this process. We are proud of the progress made, and we remain committed to continuing this work with discipline, transparency, and a focus on student success.”
Over the course of conservatorship, Socorro ISD took significant steps to address the challenges that led to state oversight. The district stabilized leadership with a permanent superintendent, strengthened Board governance through Lone Star Governance and Team of 8 practices, restored a balanced budget process, resolved a $42 million deficit, implemented enhanced internal controls and monitoring systems, corrected compensation and stipend authorization processes, strengthened graduation credit review procedures, improved attendance monitoring and transcript analysis, and expanded community engagement through advisory committees, budget processes, facilities planning efforts, surveys, and public updates.
Socorro ISD has also continued to demonstrate strong academic performance during this period of change, including improved accountability results, an increased number of A-rated campuses, no D- or F-rated campuses, and continued region-leading student achievement.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to thank TEA, Dr. Hinojosa, Mr. Kim, Superintendent Vasquez, and every member of Team SISD who contributed to this progress,” Board President Michael Najera said. “This milestone reflects the district’s commitment to doing the hard work, making difficult decisions, and putting stronger systems in place. The Board remains focused on student outcomes, responsible governance, financial stability, and earning the continued confidence of the community we serve.”
TEA conservator Andrew Kim also recognized the district’s progress in the agency’s announcement, stating that newly established systems in budgeting, procurement, and governance will help Socorro ISD “restore public confidence and better support its mission of serving students, families and its community.”
District leaders emphasized that while the end of conservatorship is a major milestone, the work will continue. Socorro ISD remains focused on long-term financial planning, facilities utilization, enrollment management, employee and community communication, and sustaining the systems strengthened during the past two years.
“We understand that trust is built through continued action,” Vasquez said. “Our responsibility now is to keep moving forward, stay transparent with our community, and continue making decisions that protect student success and the long-term strength of Socorro ISD.”