After five years of being under direct state oversight, the Texas Education Agency decided to end Harlandale Independent School District’s conservatorship on Tuesday.
The announcement comes three months after the state loosened the reins on the conservatorship, “elevating” Harlandale ISD to observing status, a less intrusive form of oversight.
Now, the district has full local control over its own governance.
“This is a tremendous moment for Harlandale ISD,” said Superintendent Gerardo Soto. “It represents years of collaboration and dedication from our Board of Trustees, staff and community.”
TEA began investigating Harlandale ISD in 2017 after complaints of alleged nepotism, issues with the district’s procurement process, financial mismanagement and dysfunctional governance. Then-superintendent Rey Madrigal “separated” from the district after the board moved to fire him.
Soto was hired shortly after Madrigal left in 2019. He was recently named the Best Superintendent in the state’s Education Region 20.
In 2020, TEA decided to take over Harlandale ISD by appointing a conservator, opting not to replace the school board trustees with a board of managers or Soto with a state-appointed superintendent .
Even though the board and Soto weren’t replaced, the conservator had the power to override board decisions if they didn’t think they were in the best interest of students.
In a Nov. 4 letter to the district, deputy education commissioner Steve Lecholop said he would remove the conservator for Harlandale ISD, since “all conditions of the placement have been met.”
In his own statement, Soto said the district has worked for years on strengthening governance, improving financial accountability and focusing on student outcomes.
“This moment isn’t just about closing a chapter, it’s about beginning a new one,” Soto added. “Harlandale ISD is stronger, more unified and more focused than ever on student success.”
Lecholop also encouraged district officials to “continue its focus on improving student outcomes.”
Harlandale ISD received a 69, considered a failing score, in the latest round of state accountability ratings. The district’s rating has remained the same since the 2022-23 school year.
Seven of the district’s 20 schools are failing, and at least one campus requires an intensive turnaround plan for getting a failing rating three years in a row.
“The district and its board of trustees should take bold action to improve student performance across all campuses,” Lecholop wrote.
