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Welcome, Dr. Mark A. Olivarez: San Isidro ISD's New District Principal

San Isidro ISD is proud to welcome Dr. Mark A. Olivarez as our new District Principal, a leader with a wealth of experience, deep roots in our community, and an unwavering commitment to student success. Approved by the school board on June 30th, Dr. Olivarez’s first official day as a Tiger was today, and we are excited to begin this new chapter in our district’s journey under his leadership.

A Proud Connection to San Isidro

Dr. Olivarez, a native of San Isidro, has a unique and personal connection to our district. His father, Noe Olivarez, graduated from San Isidro ISD, and Dr. Olivarez himself grew up in the region, fostering a deep appreciation for the community he now serves. His journey to leadership in education has been marked by a passion for empowering students, making a positive impact in their lives, and creating an environment where they can thrive.

A Distinguished Career in Education and Service

Dr. Olivarez’s career in education began in 2007 when he became a teacher at Dr. Mario Ramirez Elementary. Since then, his passion for supporting students has propelled him into various leadership roles. He earned his Master’s Degree in Education Administration from Lamar University in 2009 and served as an assistant principal at both the elementary and high school levels for eight years. In 2020, Dr. Olivarez became the Principal at John and Olive Hinojosa Elementary, where he led the school with a focus on academic excellence, student well-being, and community engagement.

In 2021, Dr. Olivarez transitioned to the role of Director of Other Special Populations, where he worked to support military-connected, foster care, and homeless students. His efforts during this time demonstrated his commitment to ensuring every student, regardless of their background, receives the support they need to succeed. This role added to his diverse leadership experience, preparing him for the district’s highest leadership position.

Educational Achievements and Certifications

A lifelong learner, Dr. Olivarez earned his Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Lamar University in May 2025. He is also certified as a Superintendent through the University of Texas-Arlington, a testament to his dedication to advancing his skills and ensuring that he is equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to lead a district to success.

Dr. Olivarez’s experience spans not only leadership in academics but also in safety and security. In 2023, he assumed the role of Director of Risk Management, where he worked with the district to ensure a safe and secure learning environment for all students and staff. His diverse background makes him an ideal fit to lead our district through both academic growth and the ongoing challenges of ensuring student safety.

A Leader Who Prioritizes Community

Throughout his career, Dr. Olivarez has worked tirelessly to foster a sense of community. His work with military-connected students, foster care students, and students experiencing homelessness speaks to his dedication to the whole child. He understands the challenges students face and works to remove barriers to success. He is a leader who listens, supports, and works alongside others to achieve common goals.

Dr. Olivarez is married to Lilliana Duran Olivarez, and together, they have two children: Edgar Jr., 30, and Madison Alysse, 18. His family values align closely with the values of San Isidro ISD—dedication, community, and service.

Looking Ahead to a Bright Future

As District Principal, Dr. Olivarez is committed to ensuring that San Isidro ISD remains a place where every student has the opportunity to succeed. He brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and passion for education that will undoubtedly help propel our district to new heights.

We are excited to have Dr. Olivarez join our team, and we look forward to the positive changes and progress his leadership will bring. Please join us in welcoming him to San Isidro ISD and to the Tiger family!

San Isidro High School is proud to honor Aryanna Garza as the Class of 2025 Salutatorian. A shining example of determination, leadership, and well-rounded excellence, Aryanna has made her mark in academics, athletics, and community service throughout her high school career.

Aryanna will be attending Texas A&M University–Kingsville, where she plans to pursue a degree in Animal Science. She graduates with 27 college credit hours and has earned multiple certifications, including NCEER, Sheet Metal and Structural Steel Welding, Fundamentals of Animal Science, and Veterinary Medicine. Her strong academic performance placed her consistently on the A Honor Roll, and she was awarded the 1st Team All-State Academic Award for her outstanding achievements in the classroom.

In athletics, Aryanna has been a force to be reckoned with. She is a two-time Basketball District Offensive Player of the Year, a Basketball All-Region Selection, and a two-time Volleyball Setter of the Year. She also excelled in track and field and was a regional golf qualifier and solo medalist, proving herself as a versatile and driven competitor.

Aryanna also excelled in UIL academic competitions. She earned 3rd place at Regionals in Ready Writing, qualifying for the UIL State Meet, was a two-time District News Writing Champion, and placed 6th at Regionals in Feature Writing. Her ability to balance intense academic, athletic, and extracurricular demands speaks volumes about her work ethic and character.

Leadership has been a cornerstone of Aryanna’s high school journey. She served as Vice President of FFA, held officer positions in FCCLA and Student Council, and was a proud member of the National Honor Society. Her passion for service extended beyond school walls, as she took part in numerous community projects, volunteering at FCCLA, FFA, and STUCO events, as well as helping with the PTO Fall Festival and local community cook-offs.

Aryanna Garza is the kind of student every school hopes to have—intelligent, driven, compassionate, and deeply involved. Her accomplishments reflect years of hard work and passion, and her legacy at San Isidro High School will continue to inspire students for years to come. We are incredibly proud of everything she has achieved and look forward to her continued success as she embarks on this exciting new chapter.

Congratulations, Aryanna Garza—our 2025 Salutatorian! Your Tiger family is cheering you on every step of the way.

San Isidro High School is proud to recognize and celebrate the incredible achievements of our Class of 2025 Valedictorian, Arianna Perez. A shining example of excellence, leadership, and service, Arianna has made an unforgettable impact on our campus and community.

An A Honor Roll student throughout her academic journey, Arianna graduates with an outstanding 36 college credit hours and will be attending The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, where she plans to pursue a degree in Cybersecurity. Her academic discipline and ambition are only matched by her long list of prestigious honors and accolades.

Arianna is a two-time UIL Editorial Writing State Champion, a UIL State Bronze Medalist in editorial writing, and earned 6th place at the state level in headline writing. Her journalistic talent and competitive spirit have made her a standout not only at our school but across Texas.

She has been honored as KRGV’s Student of the Week, named Student Assistant Manager of the Year, and recognized as the U.S. Border Patrol Student Youth of the Year, reflecting her strong leadership and character both in and out of the classroom.

Throughout her time at San Isidro High School, Arianna has served in numerous leadership roles, including Class President and Vice-President, as well as Student Council Historian, Vice-President, and President. Her creativity and eye for detail also led her to success as Yearbook Chief of Staff, Editor, and Photographer.

Arianna has been an active member of FCCLA, the National Honor Society, the National Society of High School Scholars, and UIL, where she competed in journalism, literary criticism, calculator applications, and spelling & vocabulary events.

Her commitment extended beyond academics—she was also involved in our athletics programs, participating as a player, manager, videographer, and photographer in golf, cross country, basketball, volleyball, and track & field.

Arianna’s heart for service is evident in her community involvement. She plays an active role in the San Isidro Catholic Youth Leadership Group, assisting with fundraisers, donation drives, and food pantries, and volunteers regularly at the San Isidro Baptist Church, as well as within our school district and the broader community.

Arianna Perez represents the very best of San Isidro High School. Her resilience, work ethic, and compassion set her apart, and we have no doubt she will go on to accomplish extraordinary things.

Congratulations, Arianna, on this well-deserved honor. You’ve made us all proud. Go Tigers!

Mrs. Elsa V. Morris

District Superintendent

The San Isidro Independent School District selected Elsa V. Morris as the Superintendent Lone Finalist during a special called board meeting on January 20, 2025. 
 
Morris recently served as the Interim Superintendent at Rio Grande City Grulla CISD, where she spent three decades in various roles, including leading Curriculum and Instruction as Assistant Superintendent.
 
Her diverse educational track record starting as an English and Student Leadership Teacher, along with her career as a High School Counselor, led her to spearhead various successful initiatives at the district level such as the development of comprehensive, targeted plans, the implementation of legislative priorities, the responsiveness of the Resilient Schools Support Program as part of the district’s Health and Safety Plan, and the management of the district’s Teacher Incentive Allotment plan providing additional monetary support to teachers excelling in reaching their student outcomes. In addition, she was instrumental in ensuring the district reached a 98% annual graduation rate. 
 
A graduate of the University of Texas-Pan American, she received a Bachelor of Arts in English, a Master’s in Education: Counseling & Guidance, and her Mid-Management Certificate. In 2017, she received her Superintendent Certificate from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
 
The San Isidro ISD School Board conducted a comprehensive Superintendent Search with the assistance of Region One Education Service Center.
  
“We welcome Ms. Morris to our Tiger Family! We are looking forward to working with such a dynamic leader in education,” said David Garza, President of the San Isidro ISD School Board.“Her experience and background are a great fit for our school community.”
  
ABOUT SAN ISIDRO ISD
San Isidro Independent School District is in Starr County. It encompasses 275 square miles of rural farming community and serves 160 students at three campuses: an Elementary school, a junior high school, and a High School.

Welcome to San Isidro ISD!

San Isidro Independent School District is a Texas Education Agency Region One school district located in Starr County, Texas. Our School District encompasses 275 square miles of our rural farming community centered around San Isidro, TX.

San Isidro ISD serves 180 students at our Elementary, Jr. High school, and High School campuses.

The vision of San Isidro ISD is that "San Isidro ISD builds on the tradition of pride and academic excellence, providing each student with the necessary skills to achieve their full potential. • We advocate for everyone in our learning community. • We innovate to create opportunities. • We expect excellence."