(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – June 19, 2025) — On Tuesday, the El Paso Independent School District Board of Trustees adopted a $547 million operating budget for the 2025–26 school year, reinforcing the district’s focus on student achievement, employee support, and responsible financial stewardship.
Thanks to ongoing efforts to streamline operations, the district has reduced its projected budget shortfall to $6 million. This progress reflects El Paso ISD’s commitment to long-term financial sustainability while protecting the classroom.
“Given the prevailing financial climate impacting school districts across Texas, we are proud to be moving El Paso ISD towards greater stability,” said Interim Superintendent Martha Aguirre. "Through bold decisions that have streamlined the district’s footprint and operations, we have made significant progress in reducing the budget gap. We remain committed to achieving financial sustainability while maintaining our focus on delivering educational excellence for our students."
The newly approved budget also includes targeted pay raises for teachers and staff, made possible in part by additional state funding through House Bill 2. The district’s 2025–26 Employee Compensation Plan provides salary increases aimed at retaining high-quality educators and remaining competitive in today’s job market.
Key Highlights of the 2025–26 Employee Compensation Plan:
General Pay Increases for Teachers:
$1,000 for 0–2 years of experience
$2,500 for 3–4 years of experience
$5,000 for 5 or more years of experience
Starting Teacher Salary: $58,750
To support all employees across the district, El Paso ISD is also increasing compensation for staff not on the teacher pay scale. All hourly and non-teacher employees will receive a 1.5% general pay increase—ensuring greater equity and helping the district remain competitive in the job market.
“This budget reflects our ongoing commitment to thoughtful stewardship and student success. We anticipate closing the year with the lowest deficit of any school district in El Paso, while protecting our fund balance, and prioritizing competitive compensation for staff,” said El Paso ISD Board of Trustees President Leah Hanany. “At the same time, we are proactively addressing revenue challenges, including student attendance, and implementing cost-saving measures that start at central office and remain as far from the classroom as possible. This Board remains focused on ensuring that every taxpayer dollar demonstrably improves academic outcomes. We will carry this work forward with diligence, transparency, and a deep sense of responsibility to the families we serve.”
The Board of Trustees also approved updates to the district’s Self-Funded Healthcare Program. In response to the rising healthcare costs experienced across Texas, El Paso ISD is implementing a plan that includes a $5 million increase in district contributions along with a 15% increase in employee premium contributions for the 2026 calendar year.
This marks the first increase in employee contributions in more than four years—highlighting the district’s continued efforts to keep healthcare affordable for its workforce. To help offset the added cost to employees, El Paso ISD will maintain its $1,000 contribution to employee Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
To further reduce expenses and close the remaining shortfall, the district has implemented cost-saving measures including:
A hiring pause
A pause on nonessential travel
The elimination of 90 vacant central office positions
These proactive steps are part of El Paso ISD’s broader efforts to reduce expenses without impacting classroom instruction.
The new compensation plan and budget take effect July 1, 2025, marking the start of the 2025-26 fiscal year.