EPISD Board takes no action on superintendent’s future with the district

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The El Paso Independent School District took no action on the employment status of Superintendent Diana Sayavedra during a meeting Tuesday evening.

Dozens of speakers signed up during public comment to show their support for Sayavedra, including multiple former city leaders. District employees spoke up in her favor as well.

Sheri Reiter, a speech language pathologist who has been with EPISD for the last 37 years, said she's seen the good, the bad, and the ugly with the district. She says there's no reason to get rid of Sayavedra.

"Don't le the board do this," Reiter said during the public comment section of the meeting. "This is wrong."

Former EPISD Board President Israel Irrobali also attended the meeting and made his voice heard. He says that without Sayavedra, the district will feel the impact. 

"We will see... a massive exodus of our professionals, teachers, librarians, nurses, central office staff because they believe in this vision," Irrobali said.

Daniel Call accused Board President Leah Hanany of trying to hire her previous employer at that time, Superintendent of Marlin ISD, Darryl Henson. Without disclosing her relation to the candidate.

Trustee Call going against a non-disclosure agreement.

"She's trying to dump our Superintendent and, you know, hire somebody to replace her. I'm really concerned that it's going to be one of her friends or one of her associates, or possibly even Doctor Daryl Hensen," said Call.

Call saying that if Sayavedra was fired, the severance package would fall on the taxpayers.

"Superintendents typically are given one year of severance pay, when they're terminated or when they quit, then we have to hire an interim superintendent while we find a new superintendent, and we have to hire a search firm, to find us a good candidate. All of that cost between 600,000 to $1 million more in taxpayer dollars," said Call.

In last night's meeting, the board voting 4-2 with new board member, Mindy Sutton abstaining, to contract am outside law firm for legal services. Call objecting to that because he said they didn't follow the normal procurement process.

Usually there's a competitive bidding process, and we pick the best one," Call going on to say the only person to choose the firm was Leah Hanany,"But then I found out later in the meeting that this law firm, surprise, surprise represents Darryl Hanson and Marlin ISD."

ABC-7 did look into the accusation and could not find a connection between the two.

We did reach out to Leah Hanany for an interview, instead she released this statement:

"Trustee Daniel Call’s assertion is categorically and emphatically untrue. The Board cannot comment on personnel matters.

What led up to last night's meeting:

Amid facing an over $30 million dollar deficit, in a 5 to 2 vote EPISD voted to keep Lamar Elementary open. The meeting coming on the heels of a recent general election in which the make up of the board changed.

Board president Leah Hanany, Vice President Dr. Jack Loveridge, District 3 Trustee Alex Cuellar, District 4 Trustee Mindy Sutton, and District 5 Trustee Robert Osterland voted in favor of Lamar.

District 6 Trustee Valerie Beals and District 7 Trustee Daniel Call voted against the motion.