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Internal audit and communications chiefs explain oversight role and district messaging duties
Summary
The chief internal auditor reviewed audit office independence, reporting to the board, and public posting of reports; communications described district branding, crisis messaging and outreach platforms including a new app and website.
Myra Martinez, chief internal auditor, and Liza Rodriguez, chief communications officer, briefed trustees on their offices’ responsibilities.
Myra Martinez told trustees that internal audit provides independent, risk‑based assurance and reports to the board. She noted the Texas Education Code provision that gives boards authority to appoint and oversee an internal auditor and said El Paso ISD publishes final audit reports online for public access. “We conduct audits to make sure that operations are functioning as intended,” she said, and listed board responsibilities that include approving the audit plan and budget and ensuring unrestricted auditor access.
Liza Rodriguez described communications responsibilities: information sharing on internal and external platforms, crisis communications, brand management (“It Starts With Us”), social media channels (more than 62,000 followers) and a district app and redesigned website intended to centralize information for families. She asked trustees to route media questions through communications and reminded trustees that the board president (or a designated spokesperson) represents the board in official statements.
Both offices emphasized transparency: audit reports are posted publicly and communications will coordinate messaging for major events and emergency notifications. Trustees were introduced to communications staff responsible for events and digital operations and to audit committee procedures (a board audit committee of up to three trustees meets quarterly).
