[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6233301,"mediaKeyId","3423521-9742dc77f7b1b2cff76b57e41b085df2","parentId",3423521,"title","Students, parents urge board to reverse blending of Silva Health Magnet and Jefferson High","audioSeconds",976,"startMs",2266000,"endMs",3242000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3423521-9742dc77f7b1b2cff76b57e41b085df2&start=2266&end=3242","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3423521-9742dc77f7b1b2cff76b57e41b085df2/thumbnail_2266000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6233301/Texas/Students-parents-urge-board-to-reverse-blending-of-Silva-Health-Magnet-and-Jefferson-High","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233301-0aafe0efeef7578b2c55cb5b9fe0ef17/orig.mp4?Expires=1776143320&Signature=gMIRJ1p8X-EKcgFEfitKy4iytpMHiaz4CnpQTXN99tHVayCFCkWVd0omXPuokUA5xWPUx9NfoVS3kPTR4PKunRjS0ID~a6GRQsHKciH7NWrhlsgaC9hh7wKRorNmRiYqceq5P5FLLL4SWWoKq9LrCo96XnsYijCoyLQVbDcZmzPdCJOsc2924hrmM2599UyBv-1lkkp~KMLnx~5GOqTbHkiQNoVYKvZf9f7EF1cvIyU~h~0yAsbimUUHKCvyLlcE78DVIyDs3w5bX2HNFuxgxwD8ifTPZpMWshdnNO0c9ew6eMMc4nWH0cwKLeV28cdS2KmM4S7LFbP7MEuGIvbQsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-21T11:56:04.017Z","article","At the May 20 public‑comment section of the El Paso ISD Board of Trustees meeting, multiple students, parents and community members urged the board to halt or reverse the administrative blending of Silva Health Magnet High School and Jefferson High School, saying the change has diluted magnet rigor and harmed students’ experiences.

Several speakers used the public forum to give specific examples. Michael Charles Silva and several Silva High students and alumni said the magnet’s selective curriculum and higher expectations have been eroded by administrative steps that merged offices, enrollment processes and even graduation ceremonies. Senior Amaya Sheera Bhakta told trustees the school’s “focus and rigor is gone” and that Silva was “being dissolved” into a blended identity. Brianna Elliott, a Silva senior, said the magnet’s admissions standard and distinct program were being blurred by a shared front office, a single administration and a combined name, \"Jefferson Silva.\" Several speakers said diplomas, admissions and course rigor no longer match what magnet students expected when they applied.

Parents and the El Paso Teachers Association vice president also addressed district leaders. Brett Elliott, parent of a Silva student who is also a Jefferson athlete, called Silva “the crown jewel of EPISD” and asked the board to ensure the magnet’s focus remains intact. Margaret Gallardo, vice president of the El Paso Teachers Association, raised compensation and equity concerns in a later public comment block and asked that district pay and policy language treat bilingual and non‑teacher‑of‑record staff fairly.

What the speakers requested: A number of public commenters said they will submit a list of formal questions for the board and requested written responses in board minutes at a future meeting. Speakers asked the board to explain the rationale for combined administration and to provide enrollment, course and grading distinctions between the TEA‑identified magnet and the regular comprehensive high school.

District responses: Superintendent Saavedra and administrators were present in the meeting and earlier posted policy guidance about public comment and complaint procedures. At this meeting, trustees did not take immediate action on the complaints; trustees acknowledged receipt of the concerns and several trustees said they expected administration to respond in writing or during future agenda items.

Why it matters: Silva Health Magnet is a TEA‑recognized magnet program with a selective admissions history and multiple Blue Ribbon recognitions; parents and alumni said preserving programmatic rigor and identity is essential to equity and trust in district specialty programs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board Of Trustees, El Paso Independent School District May 20, 2025 5:00pm","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple public commenters — students, parents and teachers — told the board that administrative blending of Silva Health Magnet and Jefferson High has reduced academic rigor, diluted school identity and harmed student morale. Commenters asked the board for answers and promised a written list of formal questions.","taxTitle","EL PASO ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",13542,"location","Texas","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6233304,"District outlines ESSA entitlement and state compensatory funding priorities for 2025–26",1274,4858000,6132000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3423521-9742dc77f7b1b2cff76b57e41b085df2&start=4858&end=6132","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3423521-9742dc77f7b1b2cff76b57e41b085df2/thumbnail_4858000.jpg","/articles/6233304/Texas/District-outlines-ESSA-entitlement-and-state-compensatory-funding-priorities-for-202526","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233304-4dbdb917b191fee5ab0799ac96ed8552/orig.mp4?Expires=1776143320&Signature=GF4PvGB7p5WLAjYdhtfPhHqbtkH8PTGel257wLVm~o4ruRIVZnFwR39pQ~RDEWaKbmzckjGsh4uULkqCAKD65JPbJzpRw4J39rVyzTBLUwMMFcYUoxPC1zOOeBGubMezr30zW1JwvU5rv97~HbUjuQQdC2-mZ9fZxbXhYB-39Foy7~kIl6JkP-3zf7j7xNAuzGJVAtp4ZJTnT0HSek7QYPSsWMhmItNK2tJGKRZq83nUF4O8-bg93wexe75igMtLBXntU6FiAjrzklXdDEvG5jwLX5kok311myj~qNeDnlf9wD64eERGfIAVytjDPMcqjOhh1FCNM-sPWTMasjTuKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","El Paso ISD staff presented the district’s proposed Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) entitlements allocations and the 2023–24 state compensatory education (SCE) evaluation at the May 20 board meeting, outlining how Title I–IV funds and state compensatory dollars would be budgeted for 2025–26.

Presentation highlights: staff described a multi‑part needs assessment using quantitative and qualitative data, input from the district’s DEIC planning committee and stakeholder meetings. The federal entitlements overview covered Title I campus allocations (approximately $24 million total for Title I services), Title II supports for recruitment/retention and professional learning, Title III supports for emergent bilingual students, and Title IV well‑rounded/healthy students/technology initiatives. The packet offered campus‑level breakdowns showing per‑student allocations and how those dollars map to strategies such as math and reading interventionists, parent engagement liaisons and supplemental teachers at high‑need campuses.

State compensatory evaluation: staff summarized the SCE evaluation (fiscal year 2023–24), emphasizing a 61% district‑level at‑risk student identification and the goal to reduce achievement gaps. The team reported mixed results: some decreases in gaps (graduation/completion), increases in math gaps in certain grades, and variable reading results by grade band. Staff described proposed reallocations for 2025–26 that prioritize supplemental staffing at campuses with the highest concentrations of emergent bilingual and at‑risk students, expanded family literacy and social worker supports, and continued investment in attendance teams and academic coaches.

Board discussion: trustees asked for clarifications on campus‑level per‑student allocations and how merged or co‑located campus codes affected budget lines. Staff explained some positions serve multiple campuses and are coded under a primary campus. Trustees asked for better linkage of inputs to outcomes and requested a clearer return‑on‑investment framework for assessing whether allocations improve achievement; staff acknowledged the request and said a more structured ROI and progress monitoring plan is in development.

Action: The presentation was a public meeting and informational; staff will incorporate public and DEIC feedback before finalizing and submitting the entitlements application to TEA.

Why it matters: Federal and state entitlement funds are one of the primary levers the district uses to target instructional supports, tutoring, family engagement, and intervention staff to campuses with the greatest need. The board asked staff to provide clearer outcome metrics and a monitoring cadence to tie spending to student results.","District staff presented the ESSA entitlement plan (Title I–IV) and the state compensatory education evaluation for 2023–24, describing needs assessments, targeted allocations by campus and proposed expansions in parent engagement, interventionists and college‑readiness supports.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":79,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6233308,"Board approves CCTA turnaround action plan; trustees seek monitoring targets",1373,3485000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3423521-9742dc77f7b1b2cff76b57e41b085df2&start=3485&end=4858","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3423521-9742dc77f7b1b2cff76b57e41b085df2/thumbnail_3485000.jpg","/articles/6233308/Texas/Board-approves-CCTA-turnaround-action-plan-trustees-seek-monitoring-targets","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233308-71148f52d366a141ecdfccdd2a85489a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776143320&Signature=KFtgbuNYUjmOAqfREKy5KF1Y57wTanfCVxlD5dPogUL~gEnsVBdN2~IlsXtxvCN0rHY2v9Z~FR39c3-ex6PcxMBLkoaAadWfw8XYSdTvkDtcFA6gjKisEpxCZyJs6kPRb-H4mQ5HVHEZp0irQrQUyHls7~UQgORK012zMEZjKBTyuXRjBMsfpFDEWN2XmM1HzWYFPE-8tHsz7JQ2AnwmJpFIh~EtHCs~pnXT~BTM4nz-YgBI9353ikdOh4Vl0hqRhhws5ar1kKQpej7HBRl~j9hKPKx6c2~j3MVm26IxaFLaAC0rCQEJLje21LYdUrkAwpIOR6u3cXQyfcaYegLaQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The El Paso ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved (7–0) a two‑year turnaround action plan for the College Career Technology Academy (CCTA) on May 20, after a presentation from district staff outlining academic and graduation challenges and a set of interventions.

Superintendent’s staff and campus leaders said CCTA serves students who are off‑cohort, returning older students, teen parents and other students who previously struggled in traditional high schools. Principal Padilla and assistant principal Gilbert Andress described a three‑track schedule — semester‑based face‑to‑face classes for subjects requiring state end‑of‑course exams, a quarter‑based online schedule for credit courses without state exams, and an evening/night school option (approximately 4:30–6:30 p.m.) for students who work or have caregiving responsibilities. The goal, administrators said, is to give students flexible pathways to complete required credits and pass end‑of‑course exams within a two‑year window where possible.

District staff emphasized monitoring and coaching: intake and graduation plans for each student, enhanced tracking of progress in online platforms, targeted teacher coaching and coordination with Region 19 and other service centers. Administrators said the campus has averaged about 120 graduates in recent years and that the goal to exit the TEA designation would require about 158 graduates in a year.

Trustees asked detailed questions about attendance credit for online work, student feedback on the proposed schedules and facility readiness. Administration said recent legislative changes will count some online instruction toward attendance in future years; for the current year students must still be on campus for attendance credit. Trustees were told staff has engaged current and exiting students, who indicated the condensed schedule would help them graduate more quickly.

Motion and vote: Board President Hanani moved to approve the plan and Trustee Alex Cuellar seconded. The motion passed 7–0.

What’s next: The board asked for follow‑up monitoring targets and periodic progress checks. Administration said it would set target rates, provide regular progress monitoring during the school year and report back with benchmarks for cohorts entering under the new schedule.

Why it matters: CCTA is an alternative campus intended to serve students at high risk of not graduating; the plan links scheduling innovation and targeted supports to a measurable graduation goal and requires coordinated tracking to show impact.","The board unanimously approved a two‑year turnaround action plan for the College Career Technology Academy (CCTA). Administration described a hybrid schedule, night school and targeted monitoring intended to raise graduation rates at the alternative campus.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6233313,"El Paso ISD board votes 5-2 to keep Lamar Elementary open for 2025–26",4318,10571000,14889000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3423521-9742dc77f7b1b2cff76b57e41b085df2&start=10571&end=14889","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3423521-9742dc77f7b1b2cff76b57e41b085df2/thumbnail_10571000.jpg","/articles/6233313/Texas/El-Paso-ISD-board-votes-5-2-to-keep-Lamar-Elementary-open-for-202526","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233313-88cef5e1c15b1a30054436969e4aa0cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1776143320&Signature=FvJ1f~~Lmc-wDfckIj7X4v274CVmWK8fHP3~ZZLej68JHE0Hdxa70j~0xm9uzjtjB7uwRkyBUD4uadcfw8BhdiBac6wegjRcSr1CKbiu0RyePi5azGD~C0A0YYHbxEDZ33xjz1Li2eK-CwzU7tS4Itlke4hiacndEc02U8Vb4H~R8URcRc63lb1qmY75bYNNsDw~7SB9fH1PhYokbFC4-YUEzn20~KoTBafu5zMaw264ARgxdZnr0KYZp3EDwNVYkGKJn3VODJZG0nJD3NFROeDXCh4nlpyQXcTzeEbB6SJh9zpXXvc-Iem9njdr3xByYEuekryLo4dBaL6ReV3h9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The El Paso Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 5–2 on May 20 to keep Lamar Elementary School open for the 2025–26 school year, reversing a prior closure decision and drawing both praise and concern from community members and trustees.

Supporters said Lamar is a high-performing school with strong community ties. Hundreds of parents and staff spoke during public forum; Marina Lehi Garreta, a former Lamar student, told the board the school “was my second home” and thanked trustees who opposed the original closure for giving families “hope.” Norma Dela Rosa, president of the El Paso Teachers Association, told the board Lamar had been a model campus under the district’s own metrics.

Board President Hanani and trustees moved the item onto the agenda for reconsideration. Trustee (Dr.) Leverage made the motion to keep Lamar open; another trustee seconded. After discussion and a roll-call vote, trustees Sutton, Osterlund, Dr. Leverage, Cuellar and Hanani voted yes; Trustees Beals and Call voted no. The motion carried, 5–2.

Why it mattered: Lamar had been included in a district consolidation plan presented in November 2024 as part of the district’s “destination district” redesign. Administration materials showed facility “cost to correct” estimates that ranged from roughly $7.7 million to more than $12 million, and district staff told the board reopening would increase recurring operating costs. Trustees who voted no said the district faces a projected multi‑million dollar deficit next year and warned the vote could deepen that shortfall; trustees supporting reopening cited Lamar’s past A rating, national recognition, and the campus’ high scores on district measures of whole‑child support and belonging.

What trustees asked and what administration said: Trustees asked for detailed academic, enrollment and fiscal projections. District staff told the board the most recent published accountability rating for Lamar is an A (2021) but that preliminary internal calculations for the 2023–24 year indicated a C rating; final TEA ratings for the most recent year were still pending. Administrators said roughly 206 students were enrolled at Lamar at the time of the November decision; preliminary follow‑up contact with families suggested about 88 households had indicated they would return if the campus reopens, with a longer‑term projected enrollment around 180 students. Facility work estimates provided to the board ranged from roughly $7.7 million to about $12.5 million depending on the scope of repairs.

Board members also discussed staffing. District HR reported 29 teachers were assigned to Lamar at the time of closure; administrators said many of those teachers had accepted positions at other campuses, and that some district‑level and staffing placements had already been made to accommodate students displaced by the earlier closures.

What happens next: The board’s motion keeps Lamar open for 2025–26; it does not by itself establish a multi‑year guarantee. Trustees said they expect the district to work with the community on operational details, enrollment confirmation and short‑term fiscal monitoring. Trustees who opposed the motion said they remain concerned about the district’s structural deficit — projected in board workshops at roughly $31 million for the coming year — and warned trustees that reopening campuses will require funding choices elsewhere.

The vote came after nearly two hours of public testimony and trustee discussion. The board did not vote on reopening any of the other seven elementary campuses included in the original consolidation plan during this meeting.

“We cannot fix the problem of low academic achievement by closing the schools that are delivering,” Board President Hanani said in debate before the vote, citing Lamar’s district and national recognitions. Trustees who opposed reopening emphasized the district’s projected budget shortfall and urged caution before taking on new recurring costs.

The board directed administration to provide next steps on enrollment confirmation, staffing implications, and a clearer itemized cost estimate for reopening and renovating the building so trustees can monitor financial impact going into the 2025–26 school year.","After public testimony and debate over academic ratings, facility costs and district finances, the Board of Trustees voted to keep Lamar Elementary open for the 2025–26 school year. The measure passed 5–2 after several trustees cited Lamar’s academic performance and community support.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Students, parents urge board to reverse blending of Silva Health Magnet and Jefferson High

District outlines ESSA entitlement and state compensatory funding priorities for 2025–26

Board approves CCTA turnaround action plan; trustees seek monitoring targets

El Paso ISD board votes 5-2 to keep Lamar Elementary open for 2025–26