Despite the obstacles Raymondville Independent School District has faced over the years, including decreased student enrollment and struggling with TAKS at the high school and middle school, the 2009-2010 school year, according to Superintendent Johnny Pineda, was a successful one.

"I would have to say this school year was a successful one. Our district was short only 3% points of being recognized, with L.C. Smith coming in as recognized, Pittman as exemplary, and the middle school and high school as acceptable. We are headed in the right direction,” said Superintendent Johnny Pineda on Tuesday afternoon. Through hard work and perseverance of the students and staff, the TAKS scores were the best the district’s had in years. “Of course, however, there is still room for improvement in different areas,” Pineda stated.

Teachers and staff are attending summer academies to improve their teaching methods and ways of handling their students. “Students won't remember what you teach them, but they’ll remember how you treat them. The summer academies for the staff will help change the teachers’ ways and allow them to do their own soul searching in hopes to reach the students. Students need motivation. By motivating them and raising the bar, students will achieve more,” Pineda said.

To “raise the bar,” RISD will be adding more emphasis on extracurricular activities and hiring new staff. Pineda plans to get more students involved in extracurricular activities, such as academic U.I.L. events and activities specifically associated with fine arts, like band and One Act Play. To help get the students involved in these programs and achieve the rest of its goals, RISD will be hiring new teachers, including a fifth band director and a new music teacher at L.C. Smith Elementary. Then, in light of creating more dynamic groups of administration, RISD will also be hiring two new principals-one for the high school and one for L.C. Smith Elementary.

Former students will also be offered a new opportunity. In what Pineda calls the “second chance and other option,” former students who stopped going to school for some reason or another will be able to get another opportunity at a secondary education. The Academic Academy, an academic recovery program, will allow those ex-students to recover credits and time lost. With certified teachers, the academy will be strictly academic, not disciplinary, focusing on core curriculum. Not all former students will be admitted into the academy, however. To be accepted, each individual will have to apply and attend an interview to assure they have the will and determination to go through with the program.

“By keeping the students focused and motivated, we will continue to head in the right direction and improve our district,” Pineda concluded. The students of RISD have accomplished great things this year, over 30 of them earning college credit, some attending state U.I.L. events, and all improving on their TAKS scores.