SISD to change boundaries as east El Paso continues to grow

As the Socorro Independent School District looks to expand, it wants to make sure all of its facilities will be used to capacity.

SISD does not want to be forced to close any underutilized campuses in the future.

On November 15, the Board of Trustees is expected to approve a new set of boundaries within the district that could change the school feeder pattern in some areas.

If the final proposal is approved, some students may have to attend a different school to balance out student populations at SISD campuses.

“We want to transition students easily and consistently and where we are over capacity we want to make sure there is available space,” said Marivel Macias, assistant superintendent at SISD.

A three-year study has looked at housing development in El Paso’s far eastside, demographics, historical data and development within the district.

The district serves more than 45,000 students at 47 campuses and it will add one more campus in the near future. SISD was just approved an elementary school in the Pebble Hills area of far east El Paso.

SISD’s website has an interactive proposal of a boundary map that shows how the school feeder pattern may change.

Macias said the map is constantly changing as the boundary committee and board of trustees make suggestions. Dozens of presentations to parents have informed them on how they may be impacted.

“When I share with them the growth that we have, they understand why we’re wanting to balance and maximize the use of what we have,” Macias said.

The district is also taking consideration how the changes will impact student transportation, staffing and potential costs of renovations.