Students rally against EPISD plan to close eight elementary schools

The El Paso Independent School District (EPISD) Board of Trustees meeting on November 19, 2024, featured passionate student testimonies against proposed school closures. The meeting aimed to address community concerns regarding the potential shutdown of eight elementary schools, including Lamar Elementary.

During the session, students were invited to voice their opinions on the closures. Adley, a student from El Paso High School, expressed strong opposition to the plan, highlighting that it would leave his school with only one feeder elementary school. He argued that this would jeopardize the future of the historic high school and diminish the quality of life for families in the area. Adley emphasized the importance of maintaining schools to strengthen communities rather than closing them.

Another student, Agustin Nanez, a fourth grader, shared his worries about the impact of school closures on his friends. He mentioned that closing schools would disrupt the daily routines of students and their families, particularly affecting those who rely on walking to school. Agustin urged the board to focus on improving existing schools instead of shutting them down.

The testimonies from these students underscored a broader concern within the community about the potential long-term effects of school closures on educational opportunities and community cohesion. The board's decision on the proposed closures remains pending, with students and community members advocating for a reconsideration of the plan.