EPISD rightsizing proposals approved by Trustees
(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT -- Jan. 22, 2019) — The EPISD Board of Trustees tonight approved the closure of three schools and the early consolidation of a Bond-approved campus as part of its Rightsizing for the Future initiative designed to help the District cope with declining enrollment.
The Board approved the following actions that will take effect at the start of the 2019-20 academic year in August:
- The closure of Alta Vista Elementary School. Students now will attend Coldwell Elementary School.
- The closure of Burleson Elementary School. Students now will attend Zavala Elementary School.
- The closure of Beall Elementary School. Students now will attend Douglass Elementary School.
- The early consolidation of Schuster Elementary School with Dowell Elementary School. The consolidation had been approved by voters as part of the Bond 2016 referendum.
“This is likely the toughest decision the Board of Trustees will ever have to make, and we do so with a heavy heart,” Board President Trent Hatch said. “We are taking this drastic step in order to guarantee the financial solvency of our District and the long-term wellbeing of our students.”
Hatch added: “To the impacted students and families, we want to let them know that the District will work diligently to create a smooth transition and continue our efforts to provide facilities that are conducive to high-quality teaching and learning.”
On Tuesday, the Board of Trustees also approved some boundary changes that will facilitate the closure of schools.
Neighborhoods east of U.S. 54 that were previously zoned to Coldwell will now be zoned to Hillside Elementary School. Some neighborhoods that also were zoned to Coldwell but are physically closer to either Moreno or Crockett elementary schools, are now zoned to those schools. In the South Side, a neighborhood that previously was zoned to Zavala will now be zoned to Douglas.