El Paso ISD approves surplus property, vendor contracts and real‑estate sale; hears TAPR, special‑education and facilities updates
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Summary
Trustees approved declaring several properties surplus and authorized a sale of the Kenworthy parcel for $1.95 million; they approved multiple vendor contracts and an appointment, and received the Texas Academic Performance Report, special‑education (RDA) results showing a 'needs intervention' determination level, and a facilities condition assessment.
At its Feb. 7, 2026 meeting the El Paso Independent School District Board of Trustees approved several administrative and financial actions and heard presentations on academic performance and facilities planning.
On action items the board approved a resolution declaring multiple district parcels surplus and authorizing the sale, exchange or lease of those properties (motion carried 6–0). Trustees also approved a resolution and real-estate sales contract to sell a 7.78‑acre parcel commonly known as the Kenworthy property to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso for $1,950,000 (motion carried 6–0). The board approved a release and settlement agreement under the Medicaid administrative claim program and authorized the board president to sign the agreement. The board voted to approve first‑amendment and vendor contracts for campus security services (contract amounts and terms were presented in the meeting text) and confirmed a superintendent’s recommendation to appoint Dr. Mark Ramirez as chief of schools.
In presentations, Christine Frette, executive director of strategic planning and design, gave a high‑level summary of the 2024–25 Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR). EPISD’s overall accountability rating improved to a district‑level B with a four‑point increase; the district reported gains in STAAR meets and growth, improved college‑and‑career readiness and a decrease in dropout rates. Frette said strategic adjustments will include enhanced campus coaching, targeted progress monitoring and supports for third‑grade reading and math.
District leaders then presented Results Driven Accountability (RDA) and state performance indicators for special education. Chief Academic Officer Mr. Garcia and Assistant Superintendent Veronica Reyes explained that TEA removed three disciplinary indicators from the RDA calculation, producing a district RDA score of 1.19 — on the threshold for determination level 3, classified as “needs intervention.” Presenters outlined remediation steps: centralized evaluation teams, monthly campus audits, targeted small‑group instruction and expanded progress monitoring. Staff said the district aims to exit determination level 3 next year but noted state data lag and that continued monitoring and intervention are required.
Operations staff introduced a Facilities Condition Assessment (FCA) prepared with consultants. The FCA covered 73 buildings across the district and produced building‑ and system‑level cost estimates and facility condition indices (FCIs). Presenters said 66 buildings were in fair or better condition and about 34% of facilities were in poor or critical condition. Trustees pressed for campus‑level dollar breakdowns, prioritization by urgency (priority 1–4), educational‑specification alignment and community engagement before any decisions on repairs or closures. Administrators said the FCA is one tool among several (utilization study, educational suitability, community resource indices) that will inform long‑range facilities planning and any future bond conversations.
The board recessed into closed session on multiple statutory grounds and returned to open session to complete the listed agenda actions before adjourning.