government
La Joya ISD approves balanced budget with employee raises
By Omar Zapata at MyRGV.com (The Monitor) - All News
· June 25, 2026
· 3 min read
In a meeting on June 17, the La Joya ISD school board voted to adopt a balanced budget for next school year with 3% employee raises, increasing starting teacher pay and continuing Pre-K services to students.
The balanced budget for 2026-27 budget is $258 million.
In the two years since LJISD was ...
Key takeaway La Joya ISD faced a $20 million deficit and over staffing when the TEA took over and appointed Superintendent Marcey Sorensen and a new school board.
Why this matters in The McAllen
The adoption of a balanced budget by La Joya ISD is a significant step forward for the district, particularly given the financial challenges it faced just two years ago. The 3% employee raises and increased starting teacher pay will help attract and retain top educators in the Rio Grande Valley, where competition for skilled teachers is fierce. The decision to continue Pre-K services despite the loss of the Hidalgo County Head Start partnership is also a crucial investment in the district's youngest students. With a budget of $258 million, La Joya ISD must navigate declining enrollment and rising costs, but the district's ability to pass a balanced budget for the second year in a row suggests that it is on a path towards stability. As the district moves forward, it will be important to monitor how these investments in personnel and programs impact student outcomes and the overall quality of education in La Joya ISD.
About this story
Original reporting by MyRGV.com (The Monitor) - All News . The McAllen surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit MyRGV.com (The Monitor) - All News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: MyRGV.com (The Monitor) - All News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? In a meeting on June 17, the La Joya ISD school board voted to adopt a balanced budget for next school year with 3% employee raises, increasing starting teacher pay and continuing Pre-K services to students.
The balanced budget for 2026-27 budget is $258 million.
In the two years since LJISD was ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by MyRGV.com (The Monitor) - All News and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Omar Zapata at MyRGV.com (The Monitor) - All News. To learn more about how The McAllen selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The McAllen, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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