El Paso Independent School District Packet Summary — August 11, 2026
Meeting Overview
The El Paso Independent School District Board of Trustees is scheduled to hold its regular meeting at 5:00 p.m. on August 11, 2026, at the EPISD Administration Building, 1014 North Stanton Street. The agenda includes a proposed November bond election, a five-year strategic blueprint, major school-safety and facilities expenditures, grants and academic programs, policy changes, financial and staffing reports, and matters that may be considered in closed session.
Key Items on the Agenda
Proposed November 3 Bond Election
The Board is scheduled to consider an order calling an EPISD bond election for November 3, 2026. The packet says the proposed projects were developed through a public-engagement process conducted by a Citizens’ Bond Steering Committee of more than 55 community members that has met since March 2026.
The proposed order would establish the ballot language and election provisions needed to place bond propositions before voters. Administration recommends adopting the order; the packet states that without Board approval, the election cannot be held.
2026–2031 Strategic Blueprint
Trustees are scheduled to consider the District’s 2026–2031 Strategic Blueprint, including Student Outcome Goals, Growth Progress Measures, and Constraints. The proposed action is intended to establish the District’s five-year strategic framework and measures for tracking student outcomes and organizational priorities.
Austin High School Track Field
The agenda includes an action item on naming the Austin High School track field. The Board is scheduled to discuss the proposed naming and take appropriate action.
Major Financial, Facilities, and Safety Items
School Security Projects
Several significant security investments appear on the consent agenda.
- A proposed $11,292,121.99 amendment with APIC Solutions Texas, LLC would support districtwide security and access-control infrastructure, including access control, surveillance, and rapid response capabilities.
- Campus Secure Entry Regions 1 and 2, Project No. 24.555A, is recommended for award to LDCM Solutions, LLC for $2,274,100 in SAFE Grant funds.
- Campus Secure Entry Region 4, Project No. 24.555C, is also recommended for award to LDCM Solutions, LLC for $380,500 in SAFE Grant funds.
- The agenda includes a proposed FY2027 Criminal Justice Grant Program resolution intended to equip law-enforcement officers with bullet-resistant shields, helmets, and face shields.
- A $200,000 amendment for the Linewize Student Safety Platform is proposed to provide student internet-safety and classroom-management services.
Facilities and Capital Projects
The consent agenda includes proposed awards for several facilities projects.
- Dr. Torres Elementary School HVAC Conversion Building C, Project 24.554: $1,856,067 in 2016 Bond funds, with LDCM Solutions, LLC recommended.
- Coronado High School Library Renovations, Project 17.627F: $832,380 in Bond funds, with LDCM Solutions, LLC recommended.
- A tower lease with Sinclair Television of El Paso, LLC, doing business as KDBC-TV, would cost $37,914.96 and provide space at the Upper Comanche Peak Radio Site for District public-safety radio equipment.
- The Board is also scheduled to consider awarding on-call survey services to SLI Engineering, Inc., Frank X Spencer and Associates, Inc., and Huitt-Zollars, Inc.
Budget Amendments
Trustees are scheduled to consider rolling forward $5,725,249 in Maintenance Tax Note funding from fiscal year 2026. The packet says the amendment is intended to provide funding for previously encumbered goods and services and capital projects already in progress.
A separate $60,330 General Operating Fund amendment would allocate funding across instruction, staff development, school leadership, security and monitoring services, and community services.
Technology and Operations
The consent agenda includes several proposed technology and operational expenditures.
- $480,004.38 to renew Microsoft 365 Education A3 licensing, Windows Server Datacenter, SQL Server Enterprise, and Copilot.
- $327,108 for renewal of Apptegy Thrillshare Media and Thrillshare Rooms subscriptions.
- Up to $250,000 in federal funds for fresh produce required as part of the reimbursable meal program.
- Up to $210,000 in General Operating Funds for custodial products and services.
- $437,319 for general liability and automobile insurance.
- $137,621 for Educators’ Legal Liability insurance.
- $388,270 from the Self-Insured Workers’ Compensation Fund for third-party administration and cost-containment services.
Academic Programs and Student Services
$2 Million World Language Grant
The District is scheduled to accept a $2,000,000 World Language Advancement and Readiness Program grant for EPISD’s Roots and Routes Language, Culture, and Wellness Project. The funding is intended to support world-language and cultural-enrichment opportunities for military-connected students.
Literacy Grant Application
The consent agenda includes authorization related to a proposed $500,000 Innovative Approaches to Literacy grant for the District’s It Starts with a Book initiative. EPISD submitted the application on June 9, 2026, and the packet says award notification is anticipated before October 1.
If awarded, the five-year grant would run from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2031, at up to $100,000 per year. The proposed program would serve 17 campuses across three high school feeder patterns and fund books, library resources, family literacy activities, professional development, author and presenter appearances, and other literacy programming.
College and Career Readiness
Several consent items focus on postsecondary preparation.
- A proposed 2026–2027 OnRamps agreement with the University of Texas at Austin, not to exceed $202,150 in federal funds, would provide OnRamps courses at District high schools and allow participating students opportunities to earn both high school and UT Austin college credit.
- A $70,000 Communities Foundation of Texas-Educate Texas grant would support P-TECH programming through teacher credentialing, professional development, curriculum enhancement, instructional resources, dual-credit access, and workforce-aligned pathways.
- A $263,743.65 expenditure would purchase the SAT Suite of Assessments from College Board.
- A data-sharing agreement involving EPISD, El Paso Community College, the University of Texas at El Paso, Education Service Center Region 19, and the Region 19 Vertical Alignment Network is intended to support dual-credit and concurrent-enrollment students, college readiness, postsecondary transitions, and data-driven planning.
Teacher Training and Workforce Development
The packet proposes $15,600 for Texas Mathematics Academies training through Education Service Center Region 19. The program would prepare 13 participants at $1,200 each and support implementation of required mathematics training for kindergarten through third-grade educators.
A separate $48,000 agreement with Region 19 would provide four comprehensive cohorts for Texas Reading Academies, including virtual pathways for kindergarten through third-grade teachers.
The agenda also includes a proposed PREP teacher-residency agreement with the University of Texas at El Paso involving $252,000 in Texas Education Agency funds and a $210,000 District match from Title II funds. A related PREP Mentorship Program item anticipates approximately $120,000 in TEA funding with a $21,000 District match to support beginning teachers.
Student Health and Support
Preventive Dental Services
The Board is scheduled to consider a five-year agreement with the Texas Department of State Health Services to provide preventive dental services to eligible students at no cost to the District or participating students. Services may include limited oral evaluations, dental sealants, fluoride varnish, preventive education, and referrals.
The proposed period is September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2031.
Emergency Medication
An interlocal agreement would establish physician standing orders for administration of unassigned, non-prescribed medications, including epinephrine delivery systems, medication for respiratory distress, and opioid antagonists. The packet says the agreement is needed for the District to administer stock emergency medications in qualifying situations.
Behavioral Health for Military-Connected Students
A proposed agreement with William Beaumont Army Medical Center would establish a School Behavioral Health Program for military-connected students at selected Fort Bliss campuses. Services would include screenings, counseling, therapy, crisis intervention, family support, staff training, and consultation.
Student Satellites in Space
The District is also proposing participation in the Aldrin Family Foundation of Texas Student Satellites in Space, or S-Cubed, Program. The program would give high school students hands-on opportunities involving satellite design, testing, high-altitude balloon activities, and potentially satellite launch competition activities.
The foundation would provide curriculum, equipment, technical support, professional development, and mentorship resources. EPISD would select a participating high school and provide classroom space, an instructor, supervision, and other local support.
Policy and Governance Items
Student Welfare and Discipline Policies
The consent agenda includes proposed revisions to Board Policy FFH (Local), Student Welfare: Freedom from Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation. The packet states that the revisions are intended to ensure compliance with Senate Bill 12 from the 89th Texas Legislative Session.
Trustees are also scheduled to consider revisions to Board Policy FO (Local), Student Discipline, to clarify language in alignment with the Student Code of Conduct, along with approval of the 2026–2027 Student Code of Conduct.
Superintendent Policy
Proposed revisions to Board Policy BJCF (Local), concerning superintendent nonrenewal, are presented to address new legislative requirements and TASB Update 127.
Class-Size Waivers
The Board is scheduled to consider authorizing administration to submit annual maximum class-size exception waivers to the Texas Education Agency during the 2026–2027 school year when prekindergarten through fourth-grade classes exceed the state limit of 22 students.
Internal Audit
Trustees will consider proposed changes to the 2026–2027 Audit Plan in accordance with Board Policy CFC-Exhibit. The agenda also proposes postponing the annual Board/Chief Internal Auditor conference and performance evaluation to the September 2026 regular meeting as an exception to the timeline established by Board Policy CFC (Local).
Reports to the Board
State Accountability
Administration is scheduled to present a 2025–26 State Accountability Overview. The agenda describes the report as a presentation of projected 2025–26 state accountability results.
Financial Accountability
The Board will receive an update on the District’s monthly Financial Accountability Template, including information related to full-time-equivalent staffing and payroll reporting. The financial monitoring process is intended to strengthen transparency, accountability, and oversight.
Staffing
A staffing report will update Trustees on District staffing status, personnel placement, and broader workforce-planning efforts.
Long-Range Facilities and Bond Planning
Administration will provide another update on the Citizens’ Bond Steering Committee’s Long Range Master Plan and bond consideration. Previous committee materials included multiple potential bond configurations addressing areas such as cooling systems, deferred maintenance, safety, transportation, technology, athletics, and other facility needs; the August 11 agenda separately asks the Board to decide whether to call a November 3 bond election.
Closed Session and Possible Follow-Up Action
The Board may meet in closed session on legal, safety, personnel, complaint, grievance, budget, and real-estate matters authorized under the Texas Government Code. The agenda includes the three-year safety and security audit, Emergency Operations Plan updates, an Intruder Detection Audit Tier 2 Enhanced Monitoring Notice, two legal claims, two parent complaints, three employee grievance appeals, and legal issues involving the 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 annual budgets.
Real-estate matters include approximately 14.42 acres in Montecillo Unit 3 and approximately 0.35 acres associated with the former Custodial Repair Shop at 1300 Wainwright and 5401 Olson Street Road. The latter property is listed for possible sale to Anabelle Lee Richardson, LLC for $150,000.
Any final action resulting from closed-session discussions must occur after the Board returns to open session or at a subsequent meeting. The agenda provides separate action items allowing Trustees to act, if needed, on the claims, safety matters, complaints, grievances, real-estate transactions, and budget-related legal issues.
What to Watch at the Meeting
- Whether Trustees call a bond election for November 3, 2026 and approve the election order needed to place propositions before voters.
- Whether the Board adopts the 2026–2031 Strategic Blueprint, including its Student Outcome Goals, Growth Progress Measures, and Constraints.
- How the District’s projected state accountability results, financial monitoring report, staffing update, and long-range facilities planning inform the Board’s decisions.
- Whether Trustees approve more than $13.9 million in the three highlighted campus-security and secure-entry projects, alongside other safety-related measures.
- Whether proposed policy changes, the 2026–2027 Student Code of Conduct, and authorization for class-size exception waivers move forward.
- Whether the Board takes action after closed session on safety audits, emergency planning, legal claims, complaints, grievances, real estate, or annual-budget legal issues.
