A year into the state’s takeover of the South San Antonio Independent School District, the Texas Education Agency appointed a new conservator to oversee the district. 

Diana Sayavedra, the former superintendent of El Paso ISD, has supervised the district for TEA since February. She retired from the El Paso school system in June 2025 and remained superintendent emeritus, an honorary title for outgoing superintendents, until the end of January. 

At an August board meeting, Sayavedra said the district has made “significant progress” toward reaching its exit criteria, which will help the district transition back to local control. The criteria include improving campus ratings to academically acceptable scores and the board working collaboratively with district administration.

The TEA released new state accountability scores in mid-August, and South San had nine of its 12 campuses score a C or higher. 

“I have read the articles. I’ve seen the data, and the school district is well on the way, you know, to success. But there are several pieces of work that still need to be done,” she said. “If we stay the course and work with the plan, we’re going to meet that exit criteria.”

At El Paso ISD, Sayavedra tackled the district’s $32 million deficit, sold 16 surplus properties and focused on early learning and community engagement, El Paso ISD officials wrote in her June 2025 retirement announcement. 

The state education agency typically appoints conservators to oversee and direct struggling local district leadership. They have the power to override the decisions of school district leadership.

For districts under takeover with a state-appointed superintendent and board, like South San, conservators serve as a liaison between the district and TEA and assist the appointed superintendent with district management. Saavedra continued overseeing the district’s progress after the takeover.

Superintendent Saul Hinojosa said Saavedra resigned from the role due to an illness in his family, not for reasons related to the job. 

“Family always comes first,” Hinojosa said.