(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – May 13, 2026) — El Paso ISD will present a public update on the district’s financial condition and long-term stabilization plan during the regular Board of Trustees meeting on May 19.
El Paso ISD continues to face financial pressure driven by rising operational costs, enrollment-related funding challenges, and changes in the state funding landscape. District leadership has also identified concerns related to budget projections and underlying financial assumptions that require immediate attention and long-term corrective action.
District leadership acknowledged that the district must take responsibility for addressing these challenges directly and transparently.
“This is not the time to soften the message or avoid difficult conversations,” said Superintendent Dr. Brian Lusk. “Our community deserves honesty about where we are financially, what contributed to these challenges, and what the path forward looks like. We are committed to fixing this responsibly while continuing to protect the classroom experience for students.”
During the May 19 presentation, district leadership will provide an overview of the district’s current financial position, projected budget outlook, contributing factors impacting the district’s finances, and the actions being taken to restore long-term financial stability over the next several budget cycles.
The presentation will include:
Current budget projections and financial outlook
Cost containment measures already underway
Central office restructuring and operational efficiency efforts
Long-term financial planning strategies
Next steps for financial oversight and public accountability
As part of this process, El Paso ISD is working with an independent external auditor to conduct a thorough review of the district’s financial position, verify underlying assumptions, and help guide a responsible long-term recovery plan.
In addition, El Paso ISD announced the resignation of Chief Financial Officer Martha Aguirre. The district is currently in the process of hiring an interim CFO to support the transition, while Deputy Superintendent David Bates oversees the finance department.
District leadership emphasized that improving the district’s financial position will require disciplined planning, ongoing oversight, and continued communication with staff, families, and the broader community.
El Paso ISD’s guiding principle remains clear: financial decisions must stabilize the district while continuing to prioritize high-quality instruction, student support, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources.
“The Board will continue discussing the district’s financial position as openly and transparently as possible,” Board President Leah Hanany said. “Our focus is on strengthening El Paso ISD’s long-term financial stability while continuing to build public trust and protect the classroom experience for students.”
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UPDATES ON FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS & STAFFING (RELEASED: May 7, 2026)
(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – May 7, 2026) — Like many school systems across Texas, El Paso ISD continues to navigate financial pressures, while remaining committed to transparency and student success.
School districts across the state are experiencing rising operational costs, ongoing changes to the state’s school funding system, the recalculation of hold harmless funding that previously helped stabilize district revenue, and declining birth rates that have contributed to lower student enrollment. These challenges are requiring districts to make thoughtful, long-term adjustments to ensure financial sustainability while continuing to meet the needs of students and families.
El Paso ISD leadership has taken proactive steps to strengthen the district’s financial position through a broad operational efficiency and central office reorganization effort designed to direct more resources toward classrooms, student services, and school-level support. These efforts were informed by the Superintendent’s first 90-day plan which emphasized engaging stakeholders to help identify what matters to the community.
As part of these efforts, the district has streamlined central office operations through vacancy reductions, early retirement and separation incentives, the elimination of duplicative roles, and the evaluation of additional positions that will sunset heading into the 2027–28 school year as part of the district’s long-term financial stabilization plan.
District leadership continues to assess and respond to these challenges at both the macro and micro levels, taking decisive action to work toward a balanced budget and long-term sustainability while maintaining a high standard of instruction and support for every student.
In addition, El Paso ISD has conducted a comprehensive review of operations across the organization to identify efficiencies and improve accountability. This work has included evaluating contracts and software systems, strengthening attendance efforts for both students and employees, improving coding accuracy and classifications, and reviewing staffing approval processes to enhance forecasting, operational effectiveness, and long-term budget planning.
Through this process, key financial challenges were identified that must be addressed prior to closing out the 2025–26 school year including a current budget shortfall that is being actively addressed ahead of the district’s final financial presentation to the Board of Trustees in June.
This work has enabled the administration to not only work towards a balanced budget for the 2026–27 school year but also provide the Board of Trustees with a clear financial snapshot of the district’s current position, including projected year-end balances and the number of days of operating reserves available in the fund balance.
As part of the district’s continued focus on fiscal responsibility and transparency, El Paso ISD also announces the resignation of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Martha Aguirre. Deputy Superintendent David Bates will oversee financial operations during the transition while the district begins the search process for both an interim and permanent CFO.
El Paso ISD will continue providing updates to employees, families, and the community as the district advances its budget process and broader long-term planning efforts, including a community-driven facilities master plan focused on the future needs of students and families.
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