After teacher raises, some question Ysleta Teacher Association’s influence over the board

It’s the most allies the Ysleta Teacher’s Association has ever had, according to the union’s president. Out of seven YISD board members, the teacher’s union’s support had a hand in getting four trustees elected, and maintains a strong relationship with the board’s president.

ABC-7 looked into whether this gives the union an upper hand in district policy.

Trustees Connie Woodruff, Mike Rosales and Sotero Ramirez all got a lot of help winning their elections from the Ysleta Teachers Association. YTA endorses Ana Duenez and supports Board President Shane Haggerty enough they chose not to run anyone against him.

“We help them, we help them with their campaign, but we don’t vote. It’s the voters that vote them in,” said YTA President Arlinda Valencia.

Even so, there’s the perception YTA has more power than ever before. Especially after the district received an additional $8 million from the legislature and the board voted to put $6 million toward raises, teacher raises taking up more than half.

“I’m all in favor of that, but to give all of our additional monies for employee benefits and raises, I think that does a disservice to our children,” said trustee Patricia Torres-McLean

The concern is YISD’s aging facilities and technologically inferior classrooms. After their multi-million bond election failed, the thinking is extra money could be used elsewhere.

“The roofs are in bad condition, we need buildings that aren’t sinking,” said Torres-McLean. “And so if we give three quarters of these additional monies, in addition to health care benefits, I don’t think I’m doing my job to be an advocate for the child.”

“You cannot separate the teacher from the student,” Valencia said. “When you talk about trying to help the students that teacher has to be right there with them. They’re in the trenches 8 hours a day.”

ABC-7 spoke with trustees Ramirez and Woodruff who agree, Woodruff saying, “I don’t feel like I’m influenced because I was helped by the YTA. I feel like I’m doing the best thing for the kids.” ABC-7 was not able to reach Rosales by deadline.

“They’re the teacher organization,” said board President Shane Haggerty. “And what do the teacher organizations do, they teach our students, so why would I want to have an adversarial relationship with someone who would be a fantastic asset in providing education to our students?”

Much like YISD, El Paso ISD will receive an additional $9 million if their “Penny Swap” election passes. That money will also be used toward teacher and staff raises. And like YISD, EPISD is also considering a bond election to upgrade aging schools.