El Paso ISD board accepts superintendents separation agreement, names CFO interim

The El Paso Independent School District Board of Trustees on June 3 approved a voluntary separation agreement that will reassign Superintendent Diana Saavedra to the title of superintendent emeritus from June 15, 2025, until her retirement on Jan. 30, 2026, and later appointed Chief Financial Officer Martha Aguirre as interim superintendent effective June 16, 2025.

The board voted to accept the separation agreement after a closed-session discussion; a trustee announced the motion passed by a 4-2-1 vote. Trustees then moved and approved the interim appointment; the board recorded the appointment as passing with five votes in favor and abstentions recorded by trustees for the public record.

The decisions came after more than two hours of public comment that filled the meeting room despite an earlier-scheduled 4 p.m. start time. Dozens of speakers — teachers, principals, students and community members — addressed the board. The comments were overwhelmingly in support of Saavedra and criticized the timing and transparency of the process. Rosanna Quintela, a Douglas Elementary librarian, told the board, "She stood up, stood out, and stood in front of all of us to save our district." Several speakers used similar language to call for stability and to ask trustees to allow an existing performance review scheduled for mid-June to proceed.

Why it matters: Speakers repeatedly said Saavedra led difficult budget and closure decisions and that firing her would disrupt work underway to stabilize district finances and improve student outcomes. Public commenters warned that removing the superintendent without clear, public cause risks destabilizing the district and could invite state oversight; multiple speakers referenced the possibility of a Texas Education Agency intervention if local governance falters.

What the board approved

- Voluntary separation agreement: The motion approved reallocates Saavedra's role to "superintendent emeritus" from June 15, 2025, until her retirement date of Jan. 30, 2026, and authorizes the board president to execute the agreement. The board member who read the motion described those effective dates in open session. The vote as announced in the meeting record was 4 in favor, 2 opposed and 1 abstention.

- Interim superintendent appointment: The board moved to appoint CFO Martha Aguirre as interim superintendent, effective June 16, 2025. The board recorded the appointment passing with five votes in favor and two abstentions.

- Tabling of item on superintendent duties/status: The board also voted to table a separate agenda item about the superintendents duties and employment status; the record shows the board agreed to table that item.

Public comment themes and select quotes

Public comment dominated the meeting. Speakers praised Saavedras leadership on finance, staffing and programs and criticized the boards process and timing of the meeting. Student leaders, veteran teachers and principals addressed the board.

- Rosanna Quintela, Douglas Elementary librarian: "She stood up, stood out, and stood in front of all of us to save our district." - Cameron Sierra (public commenter): "This is a witch hunt," she said, arguing removal efforts were politically motivated. - Trustee (from the dais): a trustee who identified himself on the record said the meeting time "was designed to minimize public participation" and thanked community members for attending; he said he had received dozens of written messages in support of the superintendent. - Kristen Bates (parent and military spouse): noted the superintendent had a performance review scheduled for June 18 and asked why that scheduled process was being bypassed.

Superintendent Saavedra addressed the room after the boards votes and thanked staff, families and employees for their support. She said, "Its been my greatest honor and privilege to serve this school district," and urged the community to keep students at the center of decisions.

What the public asked for and what the board recorded

Speakers repeatedly asked the board to release documentation supporting any personnel action and to allow the scheduled performance review to occur. Many speakers characterized the meeting as rushed and expressed concern about costs, continuity and the district's ability to complete budget work ahead of the July 1 fiscal year start.

The board said the separation agreement and other documents that are not yet signed would be made available as soon as they are finalized.

Background and next steps

Public commenters and board members referenced ongoing fiscal challenges the district has faced and prior decisions to close or consolidate campuses. Reported figures mentioned by speakers during public comment included references to an "eight-figure deficit" and specific dollar amounts raised in previous meetings; the board did not provide a consolidated dollar figure for the separation cost during the open session.

Administratively, Aguirre will serve as interim superintendent while Saavedra holds the emeritus title through Jan. 30, 2026, under the terms read in open session. The board also tabled a separate item about superintendent duties and status for future consideration.

The board president said the administration would post the separation agreement when it is signed and available for public review. The district will continue regular operations while the interim superintendent assumes responsibility.

Community response and context

Speakers at the meeting repeatedly warned that removing an active superintendent midbudget cycle and before a scheduled review would create instability for students and staff. Multiple principals and union representatives said Saavedra had improved operations and morale, while others called for transparency and the release of supporting documentation for any personnel action. Several commenters referenced the Texas Open Meetings Act and voiced concern that closed-session actions would limit public oversight.

The board scheduled no other immediate public votes at the conclusion of the meeting; the board president and staff said follow-up materials and the final, signed agreement would be posted when available.