Parents voice concern over possible Mesa Vista Elementary closure in lower valley

EL PASO, Texas - In a complaint sent to ABC-7, a viewer shared that the Ysleta Independent School District is planning on closing Mesa Vista ES, and selling the land to be used for other purposes. After talking with the Ysleta Independent School District Superintendent- they won't have to worry about that for a few more years.

Superintendent Dr. Xavier De La Torre told ABC-7: "Tearing down the school is not a priority at the moment."

The viewer is concerned that the 50-year-old elementary school will be knocked down and about the potential for new apartments to be built, which could lead to a decrease in property value. The superintendent told ABC-7 that there are many steps that could take years before the property is used for another purpose.

"First the board has to deem the school surplus, because it was paid for by taxpayer money. The second step, by law, is that we have to make all of the charter schools aware that there is a vacant school," he said.

The charter schools don't have to buy the property, but they are informed in case they want to buy it. In the meantime, the school will continue to maintain the property- it's a promise the District makes to the community, Torre said.

"What we promise our neighbors, our community, is that we will continue to maintain the building. We'll cut the lawn, trim the hedges, have security monitor it, no vandalism. Nothing that will jeopardize the property value."

The decision to close the school was made about a year ago; the reason is due to low student enrollment numbers. Mesa Vista currently has 314 students attending the school. Nearby Loma Terrace ES only has 450. YISD plans to combine these two schools next school year to allow for a more occupied school with the best education possible.

It is also a financial issue, leading to the closure of Mesa Vista ES.

"Unlike Loma Terrace, Mesa Vista does not have any resources. It needs refrigerated air, a new roof, and any number of repairs for it to provide an adequate environment conducive to learning and teaching. Loma Terrace on the other hand has millions of dollars dedicated to its re-modernization and making sure that the environment is adequate for teachers and students," Torre stated.

On Thursday at 5:30 PM, YISD will hold a meeting at Mesa Vista ES at 8030 Alamo Ave, to talk about the proposed plans.