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El Paso ISD board approves $500 holiday stipend, health partnership and program funding
Summary
El Paso Independent School District Superintendent Diana Saavedra said the board approved a one-time $500 stipend for eligible full-time staff, a health sciences partnership with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, continuation of an adult education grant, expansion of Army youth programs with $130,000 in funding, and destination district redesign recommendations.
Diana Saavedra, superintendent of the El Paso Independent School District, announced that the district board approved several measures intended to support employees, expand student career pathways and advance district reorganization plans.
The board unanimously approved a one-time $500 stipend for eligible full-time staff through director level, Saavedra said, adding, "This payment will be distributed in time for the holidays." The stipend was described as a staff-support measure to recognize employees’ work during the school year.
The board also endorsed a partnership with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso that Saavedra said will allow students in health science practicum courses to gain hands-on clinical experience while working toward a certified medical assistant certification. "This collaboration will allow students in health science practicum courses to gain hands on clinical experience," she said.
Saavedra said the district approved continuation of the Texas Workforce Commission adult education and literacy grant, which supports adult learners in workforce skills, English proficiency and high school equivalency. She said the program also supports STEAM initiatives and certification training delivered in collaboration with Workforce Solutions Borderplex.
For after-school services, Saavedra said the Army Youth Programs "in your neighborhood" initiative will be available at nine campuses for the 2024–25 school year. "This after school program is designed to support army connected youth and their peers through STEM enrichment, wellness activities, creative arts, and social engagement," she said, and the district will receive $130,000 in funding to support those efforts.
On district structure, Saavedra said the board approved the destination district redesign recommendations. "It's not an easy decision to close campuses but it is necessary," she said, noting the recommendations aim to balance high-quality educational environments with the district’s financial sustainability. She thanked families and stakeholders for participating in community meetings that shaped the plan and said the district is committed to maintaining engagement to ensure a smooth transition for impacted families, students and staff.
Saavedra closed by thanking district employees and the community and offering holiday well-wishes.
Next steps: Saavedra described continued community engagement and implementation work for the redesign and said program partners and staff will move forward on the partnership, grant activities and program expansions. The transcript does not specify vote tallies, names of motion movers or exact implementation timelines beyond the funding and program counts noted above.
