El Paso High School Getting New Principal
El Paso High School students will have a new principal once classes start in August. The El Paso Independent school board voted to reassign Luis Liano, their former principal, after complaints against him were brought up for review.
If Liano’s name sounds familiar, it’s because in May El Paso High School students staged a walkout to protest the way he ran the school. Students shouted “No Liano, no Liano.”
Tuesday afternoon a mix of staff, students and parents spoke at the EPISD board meeting to advise trustees on what they should do about the complaints. Some spoke in support of the embattled principal while some said he should be fired.
Those who supported Liano pointed out the principal had raised test scores since he took over El Paso High two years ago. They said efforts to get him out of the school stemmed from personal grudges that had nothing to do with how well he did his job.
Those who wanted Liano out said he treated students and staff in a disrespectful manner. Off camera, some former and current teachers said they felt bullied by Liano. Some former El Paso High School staff even said they hired an attorney to help them deal with their concerns against Liano, though they would not go into specifics about it.
Luis Liano was at the school board meeting. He did not want to comment on any of the accusations.
Late Tuesday night, the school board decided to reassign Liano to an “administrative vacancy.” They did not specify whether that means Liano will be a principal in another school or if he will be working in another capacity within the district.
No word on who will be El Paso High’s new principal.
