El Paso ISD board adopts Bluebonnet math materials and approves $3.13 million in expenditures

The El Paso Independent School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Dec. 16 to adopt a transition plan to State Board of Education–approved Bluebonnet learning instructional materials for mathematics beginning in the 2026–27 school year and authorized expenditures not to exceed $3,130,584.

District chief academic officer Al Garcia told trustees the proposal is backed by a 35‑page transition plan and represents continuity with materials currently in use: "We are moving from OER to Bluebonnet as part of our transition plan... Amplify and Carnegie and Eureka are the publishers of Bluebonnet," Garcia said, adding that the package is "100% aligned to our Texas essential knowledge and skills." The plan, he said, includes additional preparation supports for bilingual learners and students served by individualized education programs.

Public commenters were split. Norma Delarosa, president of the El Paso Teachers Association, raised concerns that the state‑provided curriculum is scripted and warned that adopting state‑approved materials could be perceived as exchanging curriculum control for funds: "I see that as selling out our students in exchange for using a TEA written curriculum," she said. Al Garcia and Superintendent Brian Lusk responded in the discussion by outlining state funding mechanics and the district's aims for a measured rollout.

Garcia explained the funding available from the state: an instructional‑materials allowance “per student,” roughly $40 per pupil annually plus about $20 per student for printing. He told the board the district currently has roughly $5,800,000 in Bluebonnet‑designated funds available to use for those materials and about $800,000 for printing. Garcia said approving the plan would "lock the funding and allow us to begin the purchasing of those materials through EMAT," a faster procurement process tied to state accounts.

Trustee Sutton moved to approve the transition plan and the not‑to‑exceed expenditure; Trustee Osterlund seconded. The board carried the motion 7–0. The approval authorizes the district to begin the purchasing and staged rollout described in the transition plan; district staff said they will follow the plan's timeline to train teachers and publish side‑by‑side documents comparing old and new materials.

Next steps include communications with teacher advisory councils and publishing frequently asked questions for the community as part of the implementation plan. The board did not vote on any changes to district course standards or local policy as part of this action.