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Teachers, school police and staff urge EPISD trustees to act on safety, pay and a winter stipend
Summary
At public forum, teacher and staff representatives described assaults, declining morale and staffing shortages; EPISD police officers also warned of critical staffing and radio failures and asked the board for competitive pay and an independent evaluation.
Multiple EPISD employees and union representatives told trustees Nov. 18 that safety and employee morale remain urgent problems and urged tangible steps ranging from improved training to competitive compensation.
Norma Delarosa, president of the El Paso Teachers Association, summarized survey responses from longtime staff, saying many educators reported little or no behavior‑management training and that "more than half responded they had been assaulted," in some cases multiple times, leading to bruises, missed days and ER visits. She asked the board to "listen to what your employees are telling you they need." (Delarosa identified herself in public comment.)
Adrian Cifuentes, a teacher at Andrews High School, described low morale tied to rising costs of living and the loss of a winter stipend this year. "A one‑time winter stipend for employees earning under $100,000 would not just help financially — it would help emotionally," Cifuentes said, asking trustees to show the staff they are seen.
Sherry Reiter, a speech pathologist with 38 years in EPISD, recounted being assaulted and described several violent incidents this school year; she said forming committees alone "won't solve the problem" and called for parental accountability and better administrative responses.
Officers from EPISD Police raised staffing and safety concerns. Officer Javier Moreno said staffing is strained — "EPISD has 72 schools... On an average day, we have roughly 20 officers available to cover all of these areas" — and described failing radios that create a safety risk. Officer Jason Hart echoed retention and pay concerns and noted that off‑duty local officers contracted to campuses are paid higher hourly rates but do not carry the same case duties under the current MOU.
Union leaders and staff also urged transparency in the superintendent selection process and presented survey results on staff needs and a winter stipend. Trustees thanked speakers and acknowledged the issues; the public comment was received for the record.
