La Joya ISD approves policy to prohibit double dipping with city

LA JOYA, Texas (ValleyCentral) —Minutes before midnight on Thursday, the La Joya Independent School District approved a new policy that prohibits administrators from holding elected positions.

The policy is designed to prevent corruption and conflicts of interest.

It prohibits administrators from holding elected positions in Hidalgo County, elected positions in counties with "direct or indirect contractual relations with La Joya ISD" and other elected positions that would create a conflict.

La Joya ISD created the policy after two school board trustees and three administrators pleaded guilty in a major public corruption case.

"It's just to ensure that what has happened here in the past doesn't repeat itself," Superintendent Marcey Soren said.

Administrators who currently hold elected positions may be forced to choose between their jobs at La Joya ISD and their political careers.

At least one already has.

Laura Patricia Solis, the principal of Patricio Perez Elementary School, resigned from her position as mayor of La Grulla on Thursday.