EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — The El Paso Independent School District Board of Trustees postponed voting on a proposed $445 million bond package on Tuesday, delaying the vote until next year.
During EPISD’s board of trustees meeting on Tuesday, district leaders voted 7-0 to postpone voting on the proposed bond until May 2027.
District leaders say the bond would address aging campuses and infrastructure needs across EPISD, including heating and cooling systems, deferred maintenance, technology and other improvements.
Julia Spencer reports on EPISD trustees postpone proposed $445 million bond, delay vote until May 2027 (Credit: KFOX14)
EPISD Superintendent Dr. Brian Lusk previously said the age of many district campuses is contributing to the need for repairs.
“We have 32 schools that are over 60 years old,” Lusk said. “And just to put that in perspective, the average of schools across this country, the average age is 49. We have swamp coolers in our schools.”
Under the current proposal, nearly $94 million would go toward HVAC and cooling upgrades, while about $175 million would be dedicated to deferred maintenance.
In the meantime, Dr. Lusk said EPISD is using temporary cooling systems at some campuses that rely on evaporative coolers as the district works to address immediate needs.
The delay comes after Board President Leah Hanany previously said an 85-member Citizens Bond Advisory Committee held 55 meetings as it reviewed the district’s needs.
Hanany said the process identified roughly $1 billion in needs across EPISD, with much of that tied to deferred maintenance.
Hanany added the bond is focused largely on basic facility needs rather than constructing new buildings.
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