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After accepting two resignations, El Paso ISD board opts to fill seats by appointment and names ad hoc committee
Summary
The board accepted resignations from Trustees Daniel Call and Valerie Beals and voted 5‑0 to fill the vacancies in single‑member Districts 6 and 7 by appointment rather than a special election; Trustees Quay and Leverage were named to a two‑person ad hoc committee to manage the appointment process.
The El Paso ISD board unanimously accepted the resignations of Trustees Daniel Call and Valerie Beals for single‑member Districts 6 and 7 and decided to fill both seats by appointment, naming a two‑trustee ad hoc committee to oversee the process.
Miss Collins, legal counsel, explained legal options to the board: with fewer than one year remaining in each term the board is not required to call an election within 180 days but may either call a special election (at district expense) or appoint replacements. County election staff estimated a November special election to fill both seats would cost about $166,468.71. Collins outlined appointment methods the board has used historically: direct trustee nominations, appointing the next highest vote getter from prior elections, or accepting public applications and holding candidate forums before a board vote.
Trustees discussed priorities: some public speakers earlier urged special elections to enhance legitimacy and transparency; others cautioned about the cost of a special election for less than a year of service. Trustee Quayar moved to accept the resignations; the motion passed 5‑0. The board then voted 5‑0 to fill the vacancies by appointment, with the motion amended to create and empower a two‑trustee ad hoc committee to design and implement a transparent appointment process (application, forum and background checks). Trustees Quay and Leverage volunteered and were appointed to the committee.
Process details: administration said the committee will solicit applications from qualified residents of the relevant trustee districts, confirm statutory qualifications (residency, age and other eligibility), and arrange public forums for candidates; last time the process included a student‑led forum and community‑submitted questions. Appointed trustees would serve only until the regular election cycle; candidates must file if they want to run for the unexpired term in the next election.
Votes: The board accepted the resignations 5‑0, voted 5‑0 to fill by appointment and unanimously appointed Trustees Quay and Leverage to the ad hoc committee.
What happens next: the ad hoc committee will develop the application process, outreach and forum design, and present recommended applicants for board action. Legal counsel said applications must include the same statutory verifications required for candidates in an election.
