EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 El Paso ISD\u2019s Board of Trustees is asking families, staff, students and community members to weigh in on the district\u2019s future during a series of Information Nights that will include updates on district priorities and a possible bond proposal.<\/p>\n
The district said the meetings will focus on \u201cthe future of the district and the opportunities ahead for El Paso ISD,\u201d including information about a potential bond that could address facility improvements, enhance learning environments and support long-term needs of students and schools. Attendees will also be able to meet with their elected trustee, ask questions and provide feedback.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe future of El Paso ISD is built through partnership with our community,\u201d Board President Leah Hanany said. \u201cThese conversations provide an opportunity to hear directly from our families and the people in our neighborhoods. We encourage everyone to join us, learn more, and help shape the next chapter of El Paso ISD.\u201d<\/p>\n
Information Nights are scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 4 and Wednesday, Aug. 5:<\/p>\n
Tuesday, Aug. 4<\/p>\n
District 4 \u2013 Trustee Mindy Sutton: Park Elementary School, 5:30-6:30 p.m.District 5 \u2013 Trustee Robert Osterland: Andress High School, 5:30-6:30 p.m.District 6: Franklin High School, 6:45-7:45 p.m.<\/p>\n
Wednesday, Aug. 5<\/p>\n
District 1 \u2013 Board President Leah Hanany: Mesita Elementary School, 5:30-6:30 p.m.District 2 \u2013 Trustee Alex Cuellar: Cielo Vista Elementary School, 5:30-6:30 p.m.District 3 \u2013 Trustee Dr. Jack Loveridge: Crockett Elementary School, 5:30-6:30 p.m.District 7 Community Conversation: Coronado High School, 6:45-7:45 p.m.<\/p>\n
The information nights come as the district continues to face a budget crisis after a $53 million deficit was reported for the current school year.<\/p>\n
As KFOX14\/CBS4 previously reported, the board voted to declare financial exigency on June 4 due to the deficit.<\/p>\n
Additionally, for the 2026-27 school year, EPISD faced a projected $37 million deficit, largely due to payroll costs.<\/p>\n
Last month, the board adopted a budget that reduced that shortfall to about $4.3 million.<\/p>\n
This all comes as EPISD trustees are continuing discussions over a possible $445 million bond package that could go before voters later this year to address long-standing campus needs, including years of deferred maintenance.<\/p>\n
The El Paso school board received an update last month on a long-range master plan created by the Citizens Bond Steering Committee, a group of community members appointed by trustees to review district facility needs. The committee identified district needs totaling about $1 billion, but the bond option currently being discussed is closer to $445 million and would be broken into three propositions.<\/p>\n
A breakdown of the possible $445 million bond includes $175 million for deferred maintenance, $93.8 million for HVAC and cooling systems, $50 million for athletics, $33.1 million for technology and cybersecurity, and $93.1 million for other district needs.<\/p>\n
RELATED: EPISD bond talks continue as committee weighs in<\/a><\/p>\n Meanwhile, in addition to the Information Nights, EPISD said it will hold candidate forums for applicants seeking appointment to represent Districts 6 and 7. The district said applicants will answer questions and share their qualifications as part of the board\u2019s appointment process.<\/p>\n Candidate forums are scheduled as follows:<\/p>\n District 6: Franklin High School, Aug. 4, 2026, 5:30-6:30 p.m.<\/p>\n District 7: Coronado High School, Aug. 5, 2026, 5:30-6:30 p.m. <\/p>\n This comes after EPISD’s Board of Trustees members Valerie Beals and Daniel Call resigned from the district\u2019s school board in June, leaving a vacancy in Districts 6 and 7.<\/p>\n Their resignations followed the district’s financial struggles, as EPISD declared financial exigency, allowing for termination of contracts, employment agreements and programs without penalties.<\/p>\n The financial exigency declaration was voted on 5-1 at a special board meeting held in June, in which Beals was not present, and Call voted against it.<\/p>\n RECOMMENDED: EPISD audit: Report blames former CFO for financial failures leading to $52.8M deficit<\/a><\/p>\n RECOMMENDED: El Paso ISD trustee members Valerie Beals and Daniel Call resign<\/a><\/p>\n