Public voices concerns, frustration over EPISD school closures

The El Paso Independent School District held its first public meeting related to potential school closures., allowing students and parents to voice concerns.

The meeting was held at the EPISD Professional Development Center, with more than 100 people showing up.

Each person who signed up for public comment had three minutes to speak to the EPISD Board of Trustees. Superintendent Juan Cabrera, was not in attendance. District officials said he had a previously scheduled meeting with the Texas Commissioner of Education in Austin.

“Where is my child going to go. what’s going to happen. How am I going to get to my child if they get sick? These are genuine concerns of my people, and I don’t have a car,” said Hilda Villegas, whose kids go to Beall Elementary.

Over the next three years, EPISD could close Beall, Schuster, Moye, Hawkins, Rivera, Rusk, Alta Vista, Bonham, Johnson and Roberts.

“EPISD claims to strive for parent involvement and parent engagement. Giving parents less than 10 days notice to rally their troops and to come up with how they want to present their thoughts and opinions on school closures is not enough,” said Becca Gregory, whose son goes to Rivera Elementary School.

Gregory’s son is autistic. She’s concerned about having to move him.

“I cannot guarantee that whatever school we go to next — if this closure does happen — I cannot guarantee that he will get the same support and guidance that he’s currently getting now. Moving schools, changing locations is detrimental to a child with autism, on so many different levels,” Gregory said.

EPISD Board President Trent Hatch said he understands parents’ concerns. But, he acknowledged that a difficult decision still needs to be made.

“I know people are very passionate about it, but at the end of the day, do we want people to lose their jobs in 2-3 years from declining enrollment, or do we want to take those dollars and put it back into education,” Hatch said.

The closures are being considered by the board as a long-term solution to decreased funding related to continued projected declining enrollment. The board will also formally discuss the closures during the next regular meeting on June 21.