With the start of a new school year just around the corner, United Independent School District welcomed more than 200 campus and district leaders to its annual Leadership Summit this week at the UISD Student Activity Complex. The multi-day event, themed “A” League of Our Own,” is designed to strengthen leadership, share critical updates, and align district wide efforts to ensure continued academic success in 2025-2026.
Now a proud recipient of five consecutive ‘A’ ratings in student accountability with a sixth expected in the coming weeks, UISD leaders say this year’s summit is not only about preparation but a celebration of sustained excellence. “We are in a league of our own,” said Rebecca Coss-Morales, Associate Superintendent of District Administration and Student Services. “There are very few school districts across the state that have achieved this level of success, and we are certainly the only one in the city to do so. What sets us apart is our people, our teachers, support staff, and administrators who work with so much heart and commitment to our students and families.”
UISD 2025-2026 Leadership Summit
Superintendent Dr. Gerardo Cruz kicked off the summit by addressing district goals, state accountability data, and the importance of collaboration across campuses. He emphasized the importance of reviewing what worked in previous years and refining processes as the district moves forward. “The summer is perhaps one of the busiest times,” said Dr. Cruz. “This summit allows us to regroup and equip our campus leaders with the tools they need to be effective." Dr. Cruz also highlighted the latest test scores showing UISD is performing high above the state average. “It’s a premiere school district. We have maintained high academics. We are at the top in our region and our state, according to our data.”
Breakout session
Attendees participated in breakout sessions and presentations focused on:
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Legislative updates and implementation of new policies
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Campus-level planning for back-to-school readiness
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Leadership development and effective instructional practices
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Strategies to support attendance, discipline, and classroom innovation
The event also highlighted UISD’s expansion of the Teacher Incentive Allotment, aimed at helping more eligible teachers receive additional compensation for outstanding performance.
Veteran educator and Principal of Ricardo Molina Middle School, Alfredo Palapa, emphasized the value of the summit in fostering a unified vision. “Training starts at the top,” Palapa said. “We come here to learn and reflect. The vision is aligned and the same message is communicated to all the leaders, so we are able to take it back to our campus and I think that’s really important. The District is on the right track and the 6th A is the evidence of that.”
With a strong team and continued commitment to excellence, UISD leaders say they’re ready for the 2025-2026 school year and proud to keep raising the bar for students across the district. “This is a team effort and everyone plays a vital role to ensure that our expectations are clear and that our students succeed,” said Dr. Cruz. “If there’s any school district to be a part of, it’s United ISD!”
Campus administrators suited up with jerseys to match this year's district theme.
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