(This article was written by Beth Marie Cantu Ensign and was featured in the April 2025 issue of Explore Harlingen Magazine.)
This Election Day on May 3, voters in the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District (HCISD) will decide who fills two crucial seats on the Board of Trustees: Place 3 and Place 7. Early voters can choose their candidates between April 22 and April 29 (find polling locations and times at https://www.cameroncountytx.gov/elections/.
With the district facing a financial crisis, the stakes are higher than ever. Explore Harlingen Magazine asked each candidate two key questions:
How will you engage parents, teachers, and the community to ensure transparency, responsiveness, and effective decision-making as a school board member?
As education continues to evolve, how will you help ensure HCISD remains competitive in teacher retention, curriculum, and technology while addressing the diverse needs of staff and students?
Below, the candidates listed in the order their names will appear on the ballot and by place, share their visions for transparency, teacher retention, curriculum innovation, and community engagement.
Place 3 Candidates
Diana Cortez Young, Place 3 Candidate (#1 on the ballot)
Background: A proud retired educator with 42 years in public education, Diana Cortez Young has spent her entire career at HCISD. She has served as a math teacher, counselor, head counselor, curriculum specialist, administrator, and university faculty member for student teachers.
Transparency & Community Engagement
Being fully retired, I have the time and flexibility to visit schools, ensuring parents, teachers, and the community are actively engaged. I would ask teachers and parents, “What can I do for you?”
Teachers are experts in their field, and it is crucial to listen to them, check in with them, and support their needs. I firmly believe in truth, no matter how difficult it may be. Transparency is essential in earning trust, and it must be practiced consistently and in a timely manner. In any crisis, we must respond clearly, quickly, and efficiently.
Effective decision-making requires input from all stakeholders—teachers, parents, and the community. By actively listening to concerns, we can make informed decisions that benefit everyone. It takes all of us working together.
Teacher Retention & Curriculum Innovation
Retaining teachers requires a fresh approach. Professional development exists, but does it truly align with teachers’ needs and goals? Are teachers given ownership of their growth? Have we fostered a culture that genuinely supports educators?
A strong school environment fosters belonging, unity, and morale, making it a rewarding workplace beyond test scores. Regular feedback—through surveys or one-on-one conversations—is essential. If teachers leave HCISD, Human Resources should conduct exit interviews to understand why.
Mentorship for first-year teachers is crucial. Supporting new and veteran educators with stress management strategies and professional growth opportunities can help prevent burnout and keep teaching enjoyable.
Curriculum must evolve with community needs. As technology advances, we can’t predict every future job, but we must stay ahead by partnering with higher education institutions. We must ensure every student has the skills to thrive in a competitive, fast-changing world.
We must be adaptable, supporting every staff member and student in meaningful ways. Doing things the same way is no longer enough. As a board member, I would always ask, “Are we striving to be better tomorrow than today?”
Laura Longoria (#2 on the ballot for Place 3)
Background: Laura Longoria is a Chief Financial Officer.
Transparency & Community Engagement
Keeping an open line of communication with stakeholders is the key to success. I would ask that HCISD create a survey where parents, staff, and the community can submit concerns and feedback. As a board member, I feel that it is important that everyone has a voice and is heard.
Teacher Retention & Curriculum Innovation
Of utmost importance is to get HCISD financially stable. HCISD cannot be competitive if it is operating under a deficit budget. Educators must be provided with the tools and resources to be successful in the classroom. Meeting HCISD staff’s needs is the key to remaining competitive. The teachers are the subject matter experts in the classroom, and I would rely on their expertise to make informed decisions to move HCISD forward.
Rebekah “Bekah” Batot (#3 on the ballot for Place 3)
Background: A hospital administrator and parent of two children in HCISD, Rebekah Batot is actively involved in the community.
Transparency & Community Engagement
As a parent, I regularly interact with teachers and other parents, observing firsthand the district’s strengths and areas for improvement. School board members must be receptive to community feedback to make informed decisions. I will continue to personally seek input from stakeholders, just as I have throughout my campaign.
I advocate for expanding communication between parents and the district. This means meeting people where they are—on social media, the district website, and in community centers—to share information and gather input. Hosting community forums in neighborhood settings would encourage open discussions in a less formal environment.
Parental involvement policies should be reviewed and revised. Studies show that engaged parents lead to more successful students, yet recent trends have made parental participation more restrictive. I believe we can maintain safety while increasing parental involvement.
Teacher Retention & Curriculum Innovation
For HCISD to remain competitive, we must continuously assess programs from rollout through implementation. Regular checkpoints ensure our resources—whether time, talent, or funding—are used efficiently to support quality education.
Supporting teachers is essential. They need materials, time for lesson planning, meaningful professional development, and competitive pay and benefits. We must celebrate and support them in tangible ways.
Regular curriculum and program assessments help identify gaps and allow adjustments as the educational landscape evolves. Data analysis should drive decision-making, ensuring successful programs are expanded while underperforming ones are improved.
As a board member, I would prioritize monitoring student outcomes, teacher retention rates, and overall district performance. Holding leadership accountable for missed targets is critical to maintaining high standards.
Linda R. Gonzales (#4 on the ballot for Place 3)
Background: Linda R. Gonzales is a medical office administrator and community liaison.
Transparency & Community Engagement
I will continue prioritizing strong, open relationships with parents, teachers, and the community. Effective decision-making starts with listening, and I believe it is essential to host regular community forums where families and educators can share their concerns and ideas.
I am committed to creating a space where everyone feels heard and valued. Implementing an open-door policy will ensure accessibility and inclusivity in decision-making.
Teacher Retention & Curriculum Innovation
To keep HCISD competitive, we must invest in our teachers. Higher wages, professional development opportunities, and strong mentorship programs will help retain educators and prevent burnout.
For students, curriculum should be engaging, inclusive, and culturally relevant, ensuring every child feels seen and heard. Technology should be integrated thoughtfully, enhancing learning in meaningful ways.
Through data-driven decision-making, I will work to create a thriving, empowered community for both educators and students, ensuring HCISD remains a leader in education.
Place 7
Eladio Jaimez (#1 on the ballot for Place 7)
Background: Currently serving as a Texas State Technical College provost, Eladio Jaimez is running for re-election.
Transparency & Community Engagement
Transparency and accountability begin with building strong relationships. Engaging teachers, parents, and the community is key, and I believe in proactive efforts such as town halls, volunteer opportunities, and leveraging social media to communicate effectively.
Our district already has initiatives like the student advisory board, committee meetings on finances and upcoming innovations, and parental involvement programs. However, trustees must be present, ask questions, and remain accessible to the community. I strive to be approachable and transparent, ensuring everyone feels heard and valued.
Teacher Retention & Curriculum Innovation
Teachers are the backbone of our education system, and their needs must remain a priority. Competitive compensation is crucial, not just to attract educators but because we owe it to them. Expanding the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) can provide additional opportunities for teachers.
Beyond pay, teachers need a stronger voice in decision-making. Their classroom experience gives them invaluable insight into curriculum design and professional development. They should have the flexibility to choose training that meets their needs and opportunities to collaborate with colleagues.
It’s also important to recognize the contributions of all school staff—counselors, paraprofessionals, cafeteria workers, custodians, bus drivers, administrators, librarians, security personnel, and maintenance teams. Keeping open lines of communication with these groups ensures their needs are met.
By fostering a culture of support and collaboration, we can strengthen HCISD and provide the best educational experience for students and staff alike.
Lorraine De Leon-Galarza (#2 on the ballot for Place 7)
Background: A retired registered nurse in Behavioral Health, Harlingen-raised Lorraine De Leon-Galarza has two sons and ten grandchildren.
Transparency & Community Engagement
As a mother, grandmother, and taxpayer, I understand the importance of transparency, responsiveness, and effective decision-making. These values will guide my approach as a school board member. To ensure that all voices are heard and that decisions are made in the best interest of our children and community, I propose the following actions:
School Visits and Open-Door Policy: I will visit schools regularly to listen to teachers, students, and staff firsthand. By maintaining an open-door policy, I will ensure that everyone feels welcome to share their thoughts and concerns at any time.
Quarterly Meetings with School Staff: I will host quarterly meetings with teachers, administrators, and staff to better understand their needs, challenges, and successes. This direct communication will foster a collaborative environment where everyone has a stake in the decision-making process.
Active Participation in PTA Meetings: I plan to attend and actively participate in PTA meetings to strengthen the relationship between parents, teachers, and the school board. This will provide a platform for open dialogue and ensure that parents’ concerns and ideas are heard.
School Board Meetings at Schools: To increase community engagement, I propose holding regular board meetings at different schools within the district. This will make it easier for parents, teachers, and community members to attend, learn more about school issues, and participate in discussions that affect their children’s education.
By implementing these strategies, I aim to foster a culture of transparency, responsiveness, and collaboration. Together, we can make decisions that reflect the needs of our students, support our teachers, and serve the interests of our entire community.
Teacher Retention & Curriculum Innovation
As a school board member, I am committed to ensuring that the district’s budget is allocated in a way that prioritizes the needs of both educators and students. I will work to guarantee that teachers are given retention bonuses and have access to the resources they need without having to cover the costs out of pocket. This includes providing a sufficient budget for classroom supplies, as well as ensuring affordable employee and family benefits for all district staff. Additionally, I will advocate for a contract with a local health clinic to offer special rates for HCISD employees, promoting the health and well-being of our dedicated staff. Understanding the important role of support staff, I will push for adequate paraprofessional assistance for teachers, including bus drivers, ensuring they have the support needed to maintain safety in the classrooms and on school routes.
For our students, I will focus on expanding post-secondary opportunities, offering diverse pathways to success. One of my goals is to help students graduate with skills, certifications, or licensures, needed to enter the workforce directly, such as a Registered Nurse. I will also work to strengthen partnerships with local colleges and universities, providing affordable options for higher education. Finally, I will champion educational programs such as VIDA, which assist students with financial support for college. By offering these resources, we can alleviate the financial burden of higher education and provide our students with the tools they need to succeed.
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