El Paso ISD trustees authorize proposed teacher termination, deny Level 3 parent complaint and approve legal interventions and contingency agreements

El Paso Independent School District trustees on Tuesday returned from closed session and took multiple formal actions, including a vote to propose termination of a teacher’s 2024–25 term contract, a vote denying a Level 3 parent complaint, approval to intervene in a Public Utility Commission rate case and authorization to enter contingent-fee legal agreements for outside counsel and an expedited Attorney General review.

The board voted 6–0 to propose termination and/or nonrenewal of the 2024–25 term employment contract of teacher Rosie Rodriguez and authorized Superintendent Diana Saavedra to give notice of the proposed termination and/or nonrenewal. Trustee Hernandez moved the motion; Trustee Kahl seconded. The motion was recorded as passing unanimously 6–0 following the closed-session discussion.

Why it matters: a proposed termination of a teacher’s term contract triggers statutorily required notice and procedural steps under state law and typically begins a process that may include additional hearings or appeal rights for the employee. The board recorded the authorization for the superintendent to issue notice as the formal action.

The board next addressed a Level 3 parent complaint concerning an individual identified in the transcript as “SP Wiggs Bridal School” (details not specified in the record). Trustee Kahl moved to uphold the superintendent’s designated decision and deny the Level 3 parent complaint; Trustee Hernandez seconded. The motion passed with four affirmative votes and two recusals/abstentions: Trustees Loveridge and Henani did not participate in the discussion and abstained from the vote, producing a 4–0–2 result (four yes, two abstentions).

The trustees then voted unanimously, 6–0, to intervene in a Public Utility Commission of Texas proceeding concerning El Paso Electric Company’s rate application. The motion, as recorded, directs El Paso ISD to intervene in PUC docket No. 57568 and the associated SOAH docket No. 47325‑11219; the board’s action was made subject to future approval of a definitive interlocal agreement and engagement terms with special counsel.

On legal services, the board adopted a resolution approving a contingent-fee legal services contract that included findings required under the Texas Government Code (as cited in the record) and authorized submission of the contingent-fee agreement and a request for expedited review by the Texas attorney general. Trustee Dr. Loveridge moved the resolution; Trustee Erivali seconded. The resolution passed 6–0.

Following that resolution, trustees voted 6–0 to enter contingent-fee legal services agreements with the firms listed in the record: Thompson Horton LLP; Island and Bonham, P.C.; and O'Hanlon, Demerath & Castillo, P.C., to represent the district in litigation described in the transcript as concerning youth social media usage and related matters. Trustee Dr. Loveridge moved the motion; Trustee Hernandez seconded.

Finally, the board recorded that a formative conference with Superintendent Diana Saavedra was held during executive session and moved that the minutes reflect the conference occurred; that motion passed 6–0 (mover: Trustee Beals; seconder: Trustee Kahl).

Votes at a glance

- Proposed termination/nonrenewal of teacher Rosie Rodriguez’s 2024–25 term contract — motion to authorize Superintendent Diana Saavedra to give notice. Mover: Trustee Hernandez. Second: Trustee Kahl. Outcome: approved, 6–0. Note: action followed closed-session deliberation.

- Level 3 parent complaint (record label: “SP Wiggs Bridal School”) — motion to deny and uphold the superintendent’s designated decision. Mover: Trustee Kahl. Second: Trustee Hernandez. Outcome: approved, 4 yes, 2 abstentions (Trustees Loveridge and Henani recused/abstained). Details of the complaint and superintendent’s decision were not specified in the meeting record.

- Intervention in PUC/ SOAH dockets (El Paso Electric Company rate proceeding; PUC docket No. 57568; SOAH No. 47325‑11219) — motion to intervene, subject to later approval of interlocal agreement and engagement terms with special counsel. Mover: Trustee Erivali. Second: Trustee Hernandez. Outcome: approved, 6–0.

- Resolution approving contingent-fee legal services agreement and request for expedited AG review (Texas Government Code references in record) — motion to adopt. Mover: Dr. Loveridge. Second: Trustee Erivali. Outcome: approved, 6–0.

- Contingent-fee legal services agreements with listed firms (Thompson Horton LLP; Island and Bonham, P.C.; O'Hanlon, Demerath & Castillo, P.C.) to represent the district in youth social media usage litigation — motion to approve. Mover: Dr. Loveridge. Second: Trustee Hernandez. Outcome: approved, 6–0.

- Formative conference with the superintendent — motion to note in the minutes that a formative conference occurred during executive session. Mover: Trustee Beals. Second: Trustee Kahl. Outcome: approved, 6–0.

What the record shows and does not show

- All substantive deliberations that led to these votes took place in closed (executive) session under cited provisions of the Texas Government Code; the public record here shows motions and outcomes but contains limited detail on the factual basis for the personnel action, the specifics of the Level 3 complaint, or the underlying legal theories for the PUC intervention and the prospective litigation. Where the transcript did not specify details (for example, the full text or grounds of the parent complaint), this article notes that information as not specified.

- Trustee Cuellar was noted as not present for closed-session participation and was not recorded as voting on the actions described.

Next steps and implications

- For the proposed termination: the superintendent was authorized to issue formal notice to the employee; subsequent procedural steps, appeals or hearings (if any) were not recorded in this meeting extract.

- For the PUC intervention and the contingent-fee agreements: the district’s participation in the rate case and the engagement of outside counsel are contingent on completion of a definitive interlocal agreement and formal engagement terms with special counsel or on any additional approvals referenced for future board consideration.

The board adjourned the closed-session actions at 4:37 p.m. and indicated it would return for its regularly scheduled 5:00 p.m. meeting.