EPISD Board of Trustees no longer under monitor supervision

The El Paso Independent School District Board of Trustees begins a new chapter in how it helps run the district.

Tuesday night, board members learned they will no longer be under the supervision of a state-appointed monitor.

This means the Texas Education Agency is confident that the board can move the district forward without the watchful eye of a monitor.

In May, Fred Liner was assigned by Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams to serve as a guide to the new board as EPISD returned to elected rule for the first time since 2012.

EPISD continues to recover from a district-wide cheating scandal.

Liner was expected to report back to the TEA until it felt the school board was ready to work on its own.

“The monitor has been very good to work with, but it means more to us that they (TEA) recognize we’re on the right track and ready to step out on our own,” said Trustee Dori Fenenbock.

Fenenbock added the move is a vote of confidence for the trustees.

“The fact that we were able to transition with the aid of the monitor in three short months, it really speaks well for the direction we are going.”

Commissioner Williams reminded Cabrera in a letter that the board and the district should continue to operate in compliance with all state statutes and rules.