El Paso school district revises closure plan, pulling two schools off the list

The El Paso Independent School District revised its school closure plan, pulling two elementary schools off the list.

On Monday, EPISD announced it updated its Destination District Redesign (DDR) proposal, citing that without "decisive action," the district faces a projected $32.2 million deficit for the fiscal year 2025–26, which could lead to drastic cost-cutting measures that could affect students, staff and the El Paso community.

What are the updates?

EPISD said that after receiving community feedback, the district revised its school closure recommendations, taking Hillside and Park off the chopping block.

With those two off the list of 10, the remaining eight will be shut down in two phases.

Phase I (2025–2026)

Carlos Rivera

Phase II (2026–2027)

In a written statement, EPISD listed what it calls the "severe consequences of inaction," which are the negative impact the district can face if it doesn't follow through with the school closure plan.

They are:

Workforce Reductions: Teacher and staff positions may be eliminated, affecting the student-teacher ratio and the quality of classroom instruction.

Program Cuts: Programs such as P-tech, IB, various course offerings, extracurricular activities, arts, athletics, and academic enrichment may face reductions or elimination, limiting opportunities for student growth and development.

Classroom Impact: Increase class sizes at the secondary level and explore the implementation of multi-age classrooms in under-enrolled elementary schools.

Long-term Financial Instability: The revenue shortfall continues to increase for fiscal years FY2027 and FY2028 to $39 million and $45 million respectively.

On the other hand, EPISD laid out what it believes is "a path forward to stability," listing ways the school closures will allow the district to redirect resources to improve classroom instruction, preserve academic programs, and achieve long-term financial stability.

Overall EPISD believes the district will reduce its projected budget deficit by 65.8 percent ($15.5 million in FY2026 and $5.7 million for FY2027).

EPISD's Board of Trustees will meet on Tuesday to review, discuss and vote on the potential school closures.

EPISD Superintendent Diana Sayavedra released the following statement concerning the updates:

Doing the right thing is never easy, but it is always necessary, We understand the profound impact these discussions have on our families, staff, and students. However, the consequences of inaction would harm every student, teacher, and family in our district. These decisions are difficult but essential to protect the future of public education in El Paso. We've provided all the information, presented the merits of the plan, and engaged the community every step of the way. This plan represents the best alternative to avoid larger class sizes, significant workforce reductions, and cuts to the academic programs that are so critical to our students' success. The [Texas public education] system as it stands places districts in difficult situations. But confronting our challenges head-on allows us to rebuild trust, focus on equity, and ensure that every child in El Paso ISD receives the high-quality education they deserve. This is a pivotal moment. Together, we can ensure that every student receives the education they deserve while preserving the long-term stability of our district. This work is not easy, but I am confident it is the right thing to do—for our students, for our educators, and for generations to come.