EL PASO, Texas – The Texas Education Agency (TEA) confirmed Wednesday that Socorro Independent School District (SISD) has satisfied all exit criteria and is officially out of state conservatorship. After two years of intensive oversight, the district reported a restored balanced budget, the elimination of a $42 million deficit, and new safeguards to ensure academic and financial transparency.

Conservatorship background

In March 2024, TEA and SISD agreed to appoint two conservators—Michael Hinojosa and Andrew Kim—following an investigation that uncovered several serious problems. The probe revealed that the district had awarded diplomas to students who did not meet graduation requirements, failed to disclose a potential conflict of interest with a vendor, and paid $283,000 in unauthorized stipends.

Key corrective actions

TEA’s announcement highlighted a series of corrective steps that the district completed:

• Appointment of a permanent superintendent to provide stable leadership.
• Restoration of a balanced budget and full resolution of the $42 million deficit.
• Implementation of stronger controls over budgeting, procurement and governance.
• Enhanced graduation‑credit review processes to ensure only qualified students receive diplomas.
• Improved transparency and community‑engagement practices to rebuild public trust.

These measures, TEA said, “stabilized district leadership and rectified identified issues.”

District response

Conservator Andrew Kim issued a statement praising the partnership between the board, staff and the state:

“I appreciate our partnership and collaboration with Socorro ISD’s Board of Trustees and staff in addressing longstanding challenges and the district’s commitment to sustained compliance moving forward. Through newly established systems in budgeting, procurement and governance, Socorro ISD will be able to restore public confidence and better support its mission of serving students, families and its community.”

What this means for families

For parents and students in Socorro, the removal of conservators signals a return to local control and a renewed focus on academic quality. The district’s new oversight mechanisms are designed to prevent future lapses, protect taxpayer dollars, and ensure that every graduate truly meets state standards.

Looking ahead

With the conservatorship lifted, SISD can now concentrate on long‑term initiatives such as curriculum enrichment, expanded extracurricular opportunities, and continued fiscal responsibility. Community members are encouraged to stay engaged through board meetings and public forums, reinforcing the district’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

TEA will continue to monitor SISD’s compliance, but the agency expressed confidence that the district is on a solid path forward. The successful exit from conservatorship serves as a model for how state‑level oversight, when paired with local cooperation, can correct mismanagement and restore confidence in public schools.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.