Taxpayers concerned Ysleta ISD Trustee Deby Lewis will resign if reelected due to health issues

She’s missing one of the most pivotal moments for the Ysleta Independent School District.
Trustee Deby Lewis has taken a leave of absence as she battles serious health issues. Now some in the community are concerned her constituents are without reliable representation.

At a December YISD board meeting, members in the audience noticed something was off about Lewis. But it wasn’t until April, and a number of missed board meetings, Lewis addressed their worst fears by giving a letter to the board.

“On the advice of my medical team, I began addressing some serious health issues,” Lewis wrote in the letter. “With the support of my family, I must continue to do so for the next 4-6 weeks.”

“You’re talking about a position that doesn’t pay any money, and you go to the voters and ask for their support, and they entrust you with their voice on the school board,” said political blogger Jaime Abeytia.”It is the largest part of our tax bill. So there are very important decisions that are made there. And I think that people would rightfully want to make sure they have full representation for the Eastwood area.”

Abeytiais concerned Lewis’ health problems could be serious enough to force her to resign, after she’s re-elected, allowing the board’s majority, not the taxpayer, to pick her replacement.

This board’s majority has already come under scrutiny for attempting to block legislation forcing members to disclose their finances. The reelection of Lewis, who was apart of their 4-3 vote, is very much a reality.

Her challenger Mike Rosales says due to her absence, he has not been able to participate in the two debates opened to the Eastwood district.

“It would be totally, totally out of line to exploit her health issues,” Rosales said. “However having these health issues, she’s got to make a decision, because it circumvents the taxpayer to make a decision.”

There’s also concern that even if she doesn’t resign, she still may be absent. But Lewis’ mother tells ABC-7, doctors assure her that she’s going to be okay. “She’s going to be fine after her treatments. She’ll go at a slower pace, obviously. But she doesn’t have another job, this is her job. She loves it dearly.”

Her mother wouldn’t go into details about the illness, only saying she is currently taking chemotherapy pills and receiving radiation. Her mother also tell us she will periodically be visiting MD Anderson in Houston over the next year.