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El Paso ISD to install free period-product dispensers after student-led advocacy
Summary
After years of student advocacy, El Paso Independent School District officials said the district will fund menstrual products and install dispensers in secondary-school restrooms and locker rooms, with installations expected by April and products provided at no cost to schools.
El Paso Independent School District officials told the board on Tuesday that the district will fund and begin installing free menstrual-product dispensers in middle- and high-school restrooms and locker rooms, with installations expected to begin by April.
The announcement followed testimony from Girl Scout troop members and high-school students who have run volunteer “menstruation stations” at El Paso High and other campuses. Anne Janjulio, co-leader of Girl Scout Troop 65904 at El Paso High School, said students should have agency in decisions about placement and product types: "Periods must be destigmatized and normalized. You should not have to go to the nurse's office to get period products because you are not sick when you have your period."
Dr. Karla Gonzales and Norma Luna, director of health services, presented staffing, usage and logistics to the board. Gonzales told trustees that until now students have primarily obtained products from school nurses; under the new plan, "the schools can now order products at no cost. It's being funded through the district," and operations and custodial teams have committed to installation once dispensers arrive.
District survey results cited during the presentation showed middle-school students tend to prefer sanitary napkins while about half of high-school respondents indicated they want access to tampons. Gonzales said high schools use about three cases of sanitary napkins annually on average and middle schools about two, and that some campuses already house dispensers in locations such as social-work offices or attendance offices.
Trustees pressed staff on cost, timeline and placement. Trustee Nanny asked about unit prices; Gonzales answered that the dual dispensers that can dispense both pads and tampons cost about $330 each and single dispensers about $200 each. She said some models had to be rejected because they did not meet ADA specifications and that districts are evaluating each campus restroom individually because “not all the walls are suitable” for installation. The district plans to include locker rooms in the initial secondary rollout and to phase additional sites in later.
Presenters and student speakers emphasized that student involvement and education will be part of the rollout: students suggested campus-based volunteers to help manage supplies and recommended ongoing menstrual-health education that includes male students and waste-disposal guidance. District staff cautioned that student-run, donation-based stocking has proven unreliable and recommended paid, district-managed stocking for sustainability.
No formal board vote was recorded during the presentation. District staff described the next steps as ordering approved ADA-compliant dispensers, coordinating installation with operations and custodial services, and expanding education and stocking protocols; staff estimated installations would begin as soon as dispensers arrive (vendors quoted lead times of two to three weeks) and said distribution costs would be covered by the district budget.
District and student speakers said the initiative aims to reduce barriers to attendance and dignity for menstruating students. Staff noted elementary students will continue to have access through nurse offices and that some limited hallway placements for upper-elementary grades may be considered later as part of a phased rollout.
