Enrollment continues to drop
Marfa
The Marfa ISD School Board met on January 26 to discuss student withdrawals, the consideration of prayer periods, the recent resignation of Board Member Stela Fuentez, and the hiring of a new music teacher for the district. Board President Philip Boyd, Fuentez, Teresa Nunez and Jay Foster were present for the meeting.
Before any business was discussed, Boyd called a short recess and invited the board members and audience to partake in coffee, doughnuts and menudo provided by administrators and the Alferez family in honor of School Board Recognition Month.
Beginning with a report on attendance and recognizing students and teachers of the month, Elementary Principal Rosie Martinez informed the board that four students have withdrawn since December. This brings the total student loss at the district since August to 18 students.
While Martinez acknowledged that two of those students were seniors who graduated a semester early, the remaining students have primarily been enrolled in other area public schools (nine students) or are currently being homeschooled (five students). Notably, the sixth grade class has lost a third of its students since the start of the school year—five students.
Next, Senate Bill 11, contentious legislation enacted this summer by Gov. Greg Abbott, was subject to discussion and potential action. This bill grants school districts the authority to incorporate a designated period of prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious texts during school hours. As a voluntary measure, school districts possess the discretion to implement this provision or refrain from doing so, contingent upon a mandatory vote by the school board. U.S. Senate hopeful and state Rep. James Talarico (D-Austin) expressed his apprehension regarding the bill’s consideration within the Texas House.
“When we allow teachers and principals, those in positions of power, to impose their religion on other people, especially children, we are undermining the freedom of religion that made this state and this country great, and it is a threat to religious and nonreligious people alike,” Talarico said.
In thoughtful discussion, members of the board echoed Talarico’s concern, and Fuentez made a motion to decline the policy at Marfa ISD. The subsequent vote was unanimous.
As reported on January 29 in Big Bend Sentinel, the board also accepted the letter of resignation from Place 1 Trustee Stela Fuentez.
Interim Superintendent Alferez said those interested in being a candidate for the school board must hand deliver a letter of interest to the school administration office by February 13. Candidates will be discussed at the regular board meeting on February 16. Fuentez will continue to serve on the board until another trustee can be appointed; her term was set to expire May 2027.
Place 2, currently held by Lori Flores, is up for election in May. In a special session Monday night, the school board voted to order an election for Place 1 and Place 2 on May 2, 2026. Interested candidates can pick up an election packet at the district office. The deadline to file an application for a place on the ballot is February 13.