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