[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6192519,"mediaKeyId","4085533-f30d20e744bdfa2c9d6da98a658b92ec","parentId",4085533,"title","Independent equity assessment finds district-level strengths and uneven implementation; community calls for stronger action","audioSeconds",3649,"startMs",8625000,"endMs",12274000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=4085533-f30d20e744bdfa2c9d6da98a658b92ec&start=8625&end=12274","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4085533-f30d20e744bdfa2c9d6da98a658b92ec/thumbnail_8625000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6192519/Texas/Independent-equity-assessment-finds-district-level-strengths-and-uneven-implementation-community-calls-for-stronger-action","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192519-688b6e009503061649a1336850378615/orig.mp4?Expires=1774177195&Signature=QqSjrfMc1eFLk3pGx1HnjcFa9F~UaarXIlFexBGbLe2rQB75OFfjvr~1IrXLR6dfxmsZxFpZsuOSbgtpMB2JHngiktonqJUdg-fHv2tubOsQLvPryyGRDv7L0JTJpABGYJBdbD-MguIdalBKTzZbBP5xqiNMMQSbDwf-Gjlxc-ZRW5YHouVNyAcEMmobXMnY9G~ukuKY45XEYW1agwI0eH2kv61yY7JF34Ucks6d4FTRlyPSjsvkIAKg9ughIYDKNdLNWRIApH9E9NJZ8BLg3pWwobI5FUsxx7qk5uB2vaZlAzmQSBHo8klLGhhJCXjWPK8WjnUcAaDPF6jHT2ozBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-19T02:44:06Z","article","An independent equity assessment presented to the El Paso ISD Board of Trustees identified both strengths in district policies and substantial variation in implementation across schools, and community speakers at the board meeting urged the board to act quickly to convert findings into a detailed, enforceable action plan.

The Mid‑Atlantic Equity Consortium (MAEC), supported by data partner Amplify Equity, presented findings after a year-long assessment that included a document review, analysis of administrative data, district surveys (including nearly 22,000 student responses), focus groups and interviews. MAEC said it identified 18 key observations across six focus areas: instructional and programmatic equity; organizational leadership; resource distribution; family and community collaboration; professional learning; and school climate.

MAEC summarized bright spots: a district MTSS framework, expansion of dual-language and advanced course access in some areas and investments in early-childhood programming. But the consultants said implementation fidelity and consistency vary by campus and geography. MAEC noted particular concerns in school climate data for the Bowie feeder pattern: focus-group testimony reported discriminatory incidents and perceptions of unequal access to advanced courses. MAEC said Bowie‑area survey responses were statistically lower on multiple climate measures compared with district averages.

\"EPISD already incorporates many best practices and maintains comprehensive policies aimed at advancing equity,\" MAEC said in the presentation, but it added the district lacks a system‑wide equity framework tied to clear accountability and that stakeholders reported inconsistent follow-up to complaints.

Community members who spoke during public comment urged stronger, binding action. Norma De la Rosa, president of the El Paso Teachers Association, called for a board‑appointed committee to analyze the report and set a plan. Speakers from Familia Unida por la Educación and families in the Barrio urged additional attention to South Central feeder patterns and said the audit omitted critical information about school closures and near‑term capacity issues at neighborhood campuses.

Board members said they will move to action planning. Trustee Hanani Misagire and trustees asked MAEC and staff to return with a timeline for translating the assessment into an action plan, to propose a representative oversight committee and to ensure community voices in implementation. MAEC said it will work with the district to co‑design an action plan and hold collaborative planning sessions between late June and December.

Administration committed to posting the final report and interactive data dashboards and to work with MAEC and the district equity advisory committee to draft an equity action plan; the board asked that the oversight structure include representatives from communities and campuses most affected by the disparities.

No board vote was required for the presentation. Trustees emphasized the need for transparent next steps, timelines and measurable goals that link resource allocation decisions to student outcomes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board Of Trustees, El Paso Independent School District June 18, 2025 5:00pm","oneSentenceSummary","An independent equity assessment presented to the El Paso ISD Board found policy-level supports for equity but inconsistent campus implementation and recommended a districtwide action plan and clearer accountability.","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},6192523,"Board directs administration to solicit superintendent search firms and report in August",2045,5832000,7877000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4085533-f30d20e744bdfa2c9d6da98a658b92ec&start=5832&end=7877","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4085533-f30d20e744bdfa2c9d6da98a658b92ec/thumbnail_5832000.jpg","/articles/6192523/Texas/Board-directs-administration-to-solicit-superintendent-search-firms-and-report-in-August","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192523-bea6221fc70e232127206e1c82c135dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1774177195&Signature=W4BYK8MKtV8GtikIHYM8LPaQn2OCBbw5fP7fNaaftP01KP050qPnJxQHT4m3tV18-sCS8D9bcuOdpv7-y8HYDJT2Tb9eiRlsKOCznrFSZltAPN2toZu4Lly4m~-GhiB6uLd8QIpWUW0dYRs~f8iJrjkHOjw1E13w242J5bBqHzTb1oXH2AZlxQrKtMFnx8FHP5JCQuKNSWU2j68-ADXgqiT8aY6nNmPpOYy9SVmiafToR1VXhLBfcsmmnK6tBCzmndSOdUMHnBOJPlBZJrgE5-ijc-CDK7Pmo5Ey1WzSP3uMO-OBRkqbwNqgN-Z76cN5Chf996Ha1sRWj7iSvPrMbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The El Paso ISD Board of Trustees directed district administration to solicit qualifications and proposals from superintendent search firms and to report proposals and recommended vendors at a meeting in August 2025.

The board voted 5–0 to authorize procurement proceedings and asked procurement and district staff to use an open, public process that can include an RFP or RFQ depending on whether the board views the service as a professional legal service or a general consulting engagement. \"The solicitation standard is either an RFP or an RFQ,\" procurement director Stephanie Ponce said, adding the procurement timeline is typically nine to 12 weeks from planning to contract execution.

Procurement staff described steps: planning and specification development (one to two weeks), advertisement (two weeks of public notice, typically El Paso County and the El Paso Times), a solicitation period (three to four weeks), evaluation and selection (weeks 7–8), and board agenda preparation and approval (week 9), followed by contract execution (weeks 10–12). Ponce said the process is collaborative and that procurement will coordinate with the board and with participating stakeholders on evaluation criteria.

Trustees emphasized the importance of community engagement and historical precedent. Trustee Leverage asked staff to reference past district searches and to ensure the public has meaningful opportunities to inform the search criteria and the RFP/RFQ language. The board discussed whether an August or July public meeting should be convened to finalize solicitation specifications; procurement staff advised that a two‑week window to finalize specifications is practicable, and a July public meeting would fit the nine‑ to twelve‑week solicitation timeframe for a contract in late summer.

The solicitation vehicle (RFQ vs. RFP) will depend on the written specifications. Procurement staff said that if the board considers the engagement a professional service under Texas Government Code §2254 (professional services procurement), an RFQ for qualifications is typically used; if competitive pricing is the primary driver, an RFP is used.

Trustees Leverage and Osterlund made and seconded the motion to direct administration to seek qualifications and proposals from reputable superintendent search firms and to report back with proposals at an August 2025 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Procurement will prepare the solicitation and a draft timeline and return to the board with proposed specifications and advertisement language for public vetting; trustees asked staff to include community input mechanisms in the process and to consider historical practices and community lessons from prior searches.","Trustees authorized administration to solicit qualifications/proposals from superintendent-search firms and requested a public, collaborative RFP/RFQ process; board motion carried 5–0 with an August report planned.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6192530,"Board approves $2.2 million VoIP phone system to add classroom phones for safety",436,7414000,7850000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4085533-f30d20e744bdfa2c9d6da98a658b92ec&start=7414&end=7850","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4085533-f30d20e744bdfa2c9d6da98a658b92ec/thumbnail_7414000.jpg","/articles/6192530/Texas/Board-approves-22-million-VoIP-phone-system-to-add-classroom-phones-for-safety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192530-2679684bdb07a4c1dde92bcd57771bdf/orig.mp4?Expires=1774177195&Signature=FYeWPnAo1PvVSlFM0FqyPLjXQvHsZVnuhNC1SIUqj-6F2dxSoXC~8hVZPpqq~4qe-L7U7nOjUnARmVxBb-xZK3hoatQyz4Hri-Trd7WR5FK0LoCcPfr6Nfbn5~g1lg6NOVERNleN7Y326Wg8csn36OeccSQO0J96uUugi2eKrKktlLLgJVxo16erwFtWxZTMZMQlp5TGd0IRTp1et6yF59JAkyM8sUrCLHeO7APb12GFO55ECg5JN7~Wzn8o-Nljuo63S5VAiKIlq1GEhpi0moNRkg0Q3buXXBExkvOFegfEwoQVeCC01axt6qJEwIkXcdQ2wrw3ulkxY42IMqBrGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The El Paso ISD Board of Trustees authorized district staff to purchase a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone system and infrastructure solution from Computacenter U.S. (authorized Cisco fulfiller) with a multi-year cost plan that administration said totals about $2.2 million for the initial term.

Trustees voted 5–0 to approve the purchase, which administration described as a replacement of legacy equipment and an installation of classroom-mounted telephones that would improve emergency communications and compliance with school-safety requirements.

Trustee Leverage moved the procurement and the motion was seconded; the board carried the item unanimously. Trustee Sutton summed up the safety rationale during deliberations: \"I personally think this is a great idea because I always had to use my cell phone and didn't necessarily want parents having my cell phone number. So it's a great safety feature,\" she said.

District staff told trustees the existing telephone infrastructure is aged and composed of multiple, mixed systems and that the summer had seen service interruptions. Administration said the VoIP installation would place a working telephone in every classroom that lacks one and upgrade antiquated phones so a classroom-originated 911 call would transmit both location and room information to emergency dispatch. A project timeline presented to trustees set a start in July with phased completion in early fall, contingent on vendor scheduling and contract execution.

Trustees and staff also clarified funding sources. Administration said they will use a combination of state safety allotment funds rolled into FY24–25 and the FY25–26 safety allotment, with technology budget coverage for ongoing subscription costs. Trustee Osterlund asked for confirmation on the initial and renewal amounts; staff said the motion authorized the initial purchase and included an option to renew four additional one-year terms at a stated annual rate.

The motion approved in the meeting specified procurement via the Texas Department of Information Resources contract (DIR CP0 5347) and authorized the stated initial amount and the option years as described in the staff recommendation. Administration said the project would start after board approval and contract execution and would be coordinated with campuses to minimize instructional disruption.

Public comment on the item included questions about whether phones had previously existed in classrooms and requests to ensure installation is prioritized in campuses with the highest need; trustees and staff agreed to prioritize implementation logistics and communicate timelines to campuses and families.

The board passed the motion 5–0; staff will return with final contract documents for administrative processing and will report on implementation progress to the board.","Trustees approved a multi-year contract to replace legacy telephone systems and install phones in classrooms to support emergency calls and dispatching; motion passed 5–0 after trustees questioned timing, scope and funding sources.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6192533,"El Paso ISD board adopts 2025–26 budget and approves employee compensation increases",1301,2724000,4025000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4085533-f30d20e744bdfa2c9d6da98a658b92ec&start=2724&end=4025","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4085533-f30d20e744bdfa2c9d6da98a658b92ec/thumbnail_2724000.jpg","/articles/6192533/Texas/El-Paso-ISD-board-adopts-202526-budget-and-approves-employee-compensation-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192533-3ae58133e3dc97a5c8b785a7aae05a3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1774177195&Signature=mA2b-CcO6gnaGCZ3Q4LmAOYmmOc1CGEYHBrpO~Ymme5ziqWBPmwpRl4ZH3OzZyu-7gRo3hAwAyL5kNtt46ipUH0MjYulQ0Ms6FmzzawIUwV7bugEKYnI~z4R6dLnP-DqQsBeLRAhiOaUZFlznamDZI2LB9PyjTLqHLP6qXjs0ri~e5MVhLurlc~ygJMODzY2R9AfpKBNB7n7vGJzpQTAsBKhkYDZ7rATvkMIRC5tqzxPIGgEmw~~InoCdnYLtIOOHdfzzMZBNnqMMALXJNUT1eZ5WiSUjRIqKoRQIQSdKajsb4Ahh4P9PPU0ZbCH-KdTJ2wtV5qhW5cPSI1EK9zD3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","El Paso ISD Board of Trustees on Monday adopted the district's fiscal year 2025–26 budget and approved a multi-part employee compensation package designed to meet a state pay mandate and provide additional district-funded increases.

The board voted 5–0 to adopt a general operating fund budget of $547,288,675, a debt service budget of $53,856,268 and a food and nutrition fund budget totaling the amount presented by administration. Trustees also approved the proposed employee compensation plan, which the district said will cost $26,800,446 to the general operating fund and $470,604 to the food and nutrition fund as presented.

The compensation plan incorporates a state-mandated pay increase for eligible teachers and additional district-funded raises and benefit adjustments. \"There is a mandate for a $2,500 increase for teachers who have reached 3 and 4 years of experience and $5,000 increase for teachers with 5 or more years of experience,\" said Patty Cortez, chief of human capital, during the presentation. Cortez also described a recommended $1,000 increase for teachers in step 0 through year 2 and a 1.5% raise for employees on other pay tables.

Comptroller Maria Alonso reviewed the district's revenue assumptions and projections before the vote. She said the district increased its enrollment-to-attendance ratio estimate from 87.5% to 89.5%, resulting in roughly $2.2 million more in state revenue and noting the district's year-end average daily attendance of 91% supported that change. The proposed expenditures totaled $547,288,675, leaving a projected deficit in the adopted budget that administration described as manageable given the district's projected fund balance.

Alonso and staff presented fund-balance projections showing a beginning fund balance equal to about 80.8 days of operations and a projected ending balance of 66.5 days if the adopted budget is implemented. \"It is recommended that we maintain anywhere between 2 to 3 months of fund balance to ensure that we can continue to operate and have continuity of our operations throughout the year,\" Alonso said.

Trustees asked for and staff committed to follow-up detail. Trustee Sutton requested a breakdown that ties personnel and benefit costs to the district accounting functions so trustees can see where compensation and benefits are coded; Ms. Cortez and Ms. Alonso said personnel and benefits are charged to the function where employees are paid and pledged to supply more detailed function- and position-level lists. The board also discussed health-plan funding: administration recommended a $5 million increase in the district contribution and a 15% increase in the employee contribution to sustain the self-funded medical plan while keeping plan design unchanged.

Public speakers raised concerns about class-size adjustments, program access and specific budget line items. John Auger urged the board to prioritize classroom positions and to protect teachers from layoffs; a number of speakers suggested greater transparency and community involvement in budget decisions. Norma De la Rosa, president of the El Paso Teachers Association, asked the board to continue monitoring finances and requested a $2,500 holiday stipend for employees if additional funds cannot be provided immediately.

The board approved the budget and compensation motions by roll call. The motion to approve the compensation plan was made by Trustee Leverage, seconded by Trustee Sutton and carried 5–0. The motion to adopt the fiscal year 2025–26 budgets was made by Trustee Leverage, seconded by Trustee Osterlund and carried 5–0.

Administration said it will post the approved budget and development calendar on the district website, present certified property values and a proposed tax rate in August, and continue refining department and campus operating budgets. Trustees asked staff to return with additional detail on function-level staffing costs, and several trustees suggested a September report on how temporary classroom combinations (staffing ratio adjustments) were implemented and supported at impacted campuses.

The trustees said they view the budget actions as a step to preserve classroom services while addressing rising benefits costs and legislative changes; staff said they will continue identifying efficiencies and potential additional one-time stipend opportunities if funds become available later in the fiscal year.","The El Paso ISD Board of Trustees approved a $547.3 million general operating budget for fiscal 2025–26 and a multi-part employee compensation package that includes mandated and district-funded raises and health plan contribution changes; motions passed unanimously 5–0.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6192514,"Trustees ask administration to study removing District of Innovation exemption from 90% attendance rule",391,10667000,11058000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4085533-f30d20e744bdfa2c9d6da98a658b92ec&start=10667&end=11058","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4085533-f30d20e744bdfa2c9d6da98a658b92ec/thumbnail_10667000.jpg","/articles/6192514/Texas/Trustees-ask-administration-to-study-removing-District-of-Innovation-exemption-from-90-attendance-rule","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192514-56e5e474cac6b812aa346cd7e0822c1b/orig.mp4?Expires=1774177195&Signature=R~MW2IyW3zQJ8~pihzVAnoYi6LMX24ZW0TpMrYNvTCRTKwHxjTvY6zh62J6xfbH1a8ugRYeeDa~r-M3nw5f-7GoJwp7l07M4zKd3eMJnzBF~BL38gjzWnkoeVYqvx7J1PTR4Utu-HzCWxdM5gdKv1pH3x1VQCQxHPd1DRt3aDSQ72qP2T-KUHEbQyBqcpE9E-RXGLhL3lYegA5A92kArf6sr~pZd~v1GfET21YctjC5aiYCtwoBfFqgznZIw5veB-iokz4XutEHMZAymwgo1FhjjuDSfh6T7TGbTzH79xvG0LMCA-ngxRfgL4RWUyeEhy4~pkYkosxR7YtbezzjiMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The El Paso ISD Board of Trustees passed a resolution directing administration to evaluate the implications of removing the district's District of Innovation (DOI) exemption from the 90% attendance rule in Texas Education Code §25.092.

The motion, which carried 5–0, tasks the interim superintendent with producing a comprehensive report and recommendation by Nov. 30, 2025. The board's requested evaluation must include current use and implementation of the exemption, data on attendance, course credit denials and recovery, related academic outcomes, stakeholder input, and the legal and procedural steps required to amend the DOI plan.

Trustees said the resolution is a starting point to determine whether DOI flexibility that exempts the district from the 90% per‑class attendance credit rule should continue. Trustee Leverage noted the district loses state funding when attendance declines and argued that improving attendance could have both financial and academic benefits. The board also discussed how the exclusion interacts with local practice and the timeline for any DOI renewal, which is typically considered in the year before a DOI plan expires.

Administrators explained the 90% rule and its practical effect: a student must attend at least 90% of the days a class is offered (per class) to receive credit without additional remediation requirements. Administration and trustees discussed that some attendance‑policy options could be pursued while the district still holds the DOI exemption, and trustees said they want data to guide any future policy recommendation.

The resolution reads in part: the board \"directs the interim superintendent to evaluate the implications of removing the district of innovation exemption from the 90% attendance rule for forthcoming application cycles\" and requires a comprehensive report no later than Nov. 30, 2025. The motion was made by Trustee Osterlund and seconded by Trustee Sutton; it passed unanimously.

Public comment preceding the vote emphasized attendance's link to academic outcomes and funding. Norma De la Rosa, president of the El Paso Teachers Association, told trustees chronic absenteeism is a strong predictor of dropout and urged the board to ensure the district's attendance policy has effective consequences, consistent communication and campus follow‑through.

The board asked staff to include comparative research and options, to identify what changes other districts have made, and to present recommendations and necessary legal steps in the November report so trustees can weigh policy changes before a DOI renewal cycle.","The board unanimously directed the interim superintendent to evaluate removing the District of Innovation exemption from Texas Education Code §25.092 (the 90% attendance rule), requesting a report by Nov. 30, 2025; trustees cited attendance funding and academic concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Independent equity assessment finds district-level strengths and uneven implementation; community calls for stronger action

Board directs administration to solicit superintendent search firms and report in August

Board approves $2.2 million VoIP phone system to add classroom phones for safety

El Paso ISD board adopts 2025–26 budget and approves employee compensation increases

Trustees ask administration to study removing District of Innovation exemption from 90% attendance rule