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El Paso ISD board votes 5–0 to terminate more than two dozen teachers, rescinds one notice
Summary
At a July 7 special meeting the El Paso ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to terminate multiple one-year term and probationary certified teaching contracts for the 2026–27 school year and rescinded a proposed termination notice for one teacher; all formal motions passed 5–0.
The El Paso Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 5–0 on July 7 to terminate the one-year term or probationary contracts of multiple certified classroom teachers for the 2026–27 school year and to rescind one previously issued proposed termination notice.
The board approved a motion by Trustee Cuellar to terminate the one-year term contract of Leticia Gutierrez. Trustee Leverage seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. The board then approved a motion by Trustee Loveridge to terminate several high school testing coordinator positions, including Amber Powell, Maria Monroy, Miguel Chi and Raquel Favela, and to terminate the probationary contract of Karina Valera Varela; that motion passed 5–0.
Trustee Sutton moved and Trustee Leverage seconded a motion to terminate a list of probationary teachers (years 1–3) who were unassigned or serving in temporary positions; the motion carried 5–0. Trustee Osterlund moved — with Trustee Cuellar seconding after a names clarification — to terminate additional probationary contracts across multiple campuses and subject areas (including middle and high school science, math, English, social studies and physical education); that motion also passed 5–0.
Separately, Trustee Leverage moved to rescind the board's notice of proposed termination for Mariana Luna's 2026–27 probationary contract; Trustee Cuellar seconded and the rescission passed 5–0.
Votes at a glance • Action 3a (Leticia Gutierrez termination): Mover Trustee Cuellar; second Trustee Leverage; outcome approved 5–0. • Action 3b (Amber Powell, Maria Monroy, Miguel Chi, Raquel Favela; Karina Valera Varela): Mover Trustee Loveridge; second Trustee Cuellar; outcome approved 5–0. • Action 3c (multiple probationary contracts, years 1–3): Mover Trustee Sutton; second Trustee Leverage; outcome approved 5–0. • Action 3d (probationary contracts across campuses/positions): Mover Trustee Osterlund; second Trustee Cuellar; outcome approved 5–0. • Action 3e (rescind proposed termination for Mariana Luna): Mover Trustee Leverage; second Trustee Cuellar; outcome approved 5–0.
The board announced it would meet in closed session under Texas Government Code sections 551.071 and 551.074 for hearings and personnel discussions. The special meeting adjourned at 6:47 p.m.
Proper names mentioned in motions and votes include Leticia Gutierrez; Amber Powell; Maria Monroy; Miguel Chi; Raquel Favela; Karina Valera Varela; Christopher Anaya; Katie Brown; Enrique Ivaguen; Alejandra Flores; Paola Marquez; Jasmine Martinez; Gustavo Medrano; Annabel Medrano; Mark Ramos; Mark Rodriguez; Nydia Rodriguez; Dominica Soria; Elizabeth Sosa; Kelsey Vasquez; Rocio Vasquez Castillo; Jessica Vela; Matthew Ward; Veronica Young; Ashley Choate; Michael Cueva; Daniel Diaz; Edward Drosas; Elizabeth Estrada; Natalie Gomez; Taylor Harper; Simon Heifner; Alani Morrissey; Noah Ruvalcaba; Polowo Toravezo (name per transcript, spelling not verified); Sergio Urena; Mariana Luna. Some spellings were corrected aloud by a trustee during the meeting.
Sources: Motions, seconds and votes recorded on the record at the El Paso ISD special board meeting (transcript entries beginning SEG 011 through SEG 158).
