Parents and community members press Edgewood ISD board over D rating and student supports

Parents, teachers and community advocates used the board’s public comment period on Aug. 19 to press trustees for faster action on academic outcomes, classroom size, special-education compliance and district transparency after the district’s recent Texas Education Agency accountability rating.

Speakers described the district’s D rating as evidence that leaders must change course. Dorothy Borges told trustees: "You were elected to serve, to represent and to fight for our kids. Instead, you failed them," and called for new leadership. Another community member, Agapita Jaramillo, said the rating reflected "failed leadership" and urged support for a petition and resolution requested by parents and grandparents.

Several speakers asked for specific, measurable changes. Eddie Sanchez Borjas read a community petition asking the board and superintendent to adopt a community resolution and to create a public data dashboard with monthly reports on in-school suspensions, juvenile referrals, school police involvement and IEP incidents. The petition calls for trauma-informed and family-centered training for all district and school police staff, expanded public comment access and formal partnerships with parent-advocacy groups for training and listening sessions.

Other public commenters raised concerns about oversized classrooms and communication with staff. Local teacher and union leader Bethany Barbosa said she was "disappointed" the final compensation plan was not shared earlier with the community, urging improved notice and communication with employees. Parents and advocates also described barriers for families whose primary language is not English and reported problems with special-education services and IEP implementation.

Several speakers asked the board for written follow-up and private meetings to outline plans to address the academic rating. One speaker requested the board provide a written response detailing how it intends to resolve the D rating and asked for a private meeting to discuss remedies.

The board did not take immediate policy action on the petitions during the meeting, but trustees acknowledged the comments and the superintendent said district staff would remain available for follow-up and meetings. The board later returned to business and approved its consent agenda, including the compensation package.

The public comment period was governed by Policy BED (local), which limits speakers to agenda items and defines decorum and procedures for public participation.

Ending

Speakers said they would return to future meetings until they see changes in transparency, student outcomes and special-education compliance. The board accepted comments and indicated staff would follow up as requested.