Socorro ISD board approves notices of nonrenewal for staff as administration implements reduction-in-force

EL PASO — The Socorro Independent School District Board of Trustees on Monday voted to issue notices of proposed nonrenewal and to terminate several probationary contracts after the administration presented a reduction-in-force plan aimed at closing a projected budget gap.

Human Resources Officer Ms. Stiles presented the district's process for identifying affected employees and the financial rationale. She said the district initially identified 172 employees as part of the reduction in force; 12 of those had been placed into vacant positions, 17 had resigned, and 43 employees were being brought to the board for proposed nonrenewal on May 5. The administration later asked the board to terminate two additional probationary contracts, bringing the total recommended separations to 45.

Ms. Stiles told trustees the reductions were part of a plan to close a projected $38.3 million deficit for the 2025–26 school year. "That total with the projected student enrollment decrease for the 25/26 school year to be more than 700 students and the projected health fund transfer from the fund balance of $7,000,000 brings the projected deficit for 25/26 school year to $38.3" she said. The reductions and other changes are projected to yield about $30.3 million in savings, bringing the projected deficit to approximately $8 million, she said.

Stiles described the district's implementation of Policy DFFB and the steps used to identify affected employees, citing the sequential criteria required under the policy: qualifications, performance, extra duties, professional background and seniority. Principals submitted spreadsheets with certification, evaluation and extra-duty information by a March 7 deadline; Human Resources and the district's internal audit function rechecked certification and evaluation scores.

The board heard public comments from employees and union representatives who asked trustees to reconsider specific nonrenewal recommendations and to ensure policy processes were followed. Veronica Hernandez, president of the Socorro American Federation of Teachers, urged parents and staff to pressure state lawmakers over school funding and warned that local staff losses were tied to the state's funding shortfall. Nicholas J. Enoch, attorney representing teacher Isadora Lopez, requested that the board decline the superintendent's recommendation for nonrenewal and said the union would appeal if the board proceeded.

Legal counsel Steve Blanco explained that Texas law and district policy require notice to affected employees and that the board must designate the manner of hearing for appeals. The trustees approved a motion to hear any requested contested hearings before the full Board of Trustees.

Board motions, read into the record by counsel and adopted in series, applied Policy DFFB to multiple program areas (for example, CTE program offerings, elementary fine arts redesign, elementary and secondary staffing-formula changes) and under Policy DFAB for probationary contracts. Trustees moved and seconded individual motions naming the affected employees by first initial and last name as required in the recommended motion language; the board adopted each motion. On the elementary fine arts redesign item the board recorded two "no" votes (Mr. Guerra and Mrs. Macias), and other individual motions recorded the standard voice vote outcome, "item passes." Legal counsel said the naming of individuals in agenda materials was advised by the district's attorneys as required under the law.

Stiles said Human Resources will continue placement efforts through the June board meeting and will bring reassignment contracts for board approval if vacancies and certifications align. She also said the district offers support via its employee assistance program to impacted staff and noted attrition rates used in planning: overall 10.2 percent for the school year and 9.3 percent for teachers.

When board members asked whether the public listing of names was required, district counsel Steve Blanco responded: "It is an unfortunate requirement under the law that proper votes and notice be issued to affected employees. It is not the board's decision that it be done that way. It's my and my law firm's recommendation that we'd be very specific as to how this being done." Blanco also said he would conduct the motions and read affected employees as required.

Several speakers told the board they feared loss of health insurance and other personal consequences if contracts were not renewed. Teacher Elizabeth Genova described ongoing health issues and asked for a one-year contract extension, saying a nonrenewal would remove her insurance and could lead to loss of her home.

The board approved the motions to propose nonrenewal under Policy DFFB and to terminate probationary contracts under Policy DFAB, and directed staff to follow required notice and hearing procedures.