(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – July 21, 2026) — While students enjoy their summer break, El Paso ISD maintenance crews are hard at work transforming campuses across the district. From fresh paint and upgraded landscaping to enhanced security features and classroom improvements, teams have spent the summer months preparing schools to provide students with a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment when they return this fall.

As soon as the school year ended, maintenance teams began working on dozens of improvement projects designed to enhance both the appearance and functionality of district campuses. Crews have repainted school exteriors, including portable classrooms, restriped parking lots, replaced flooring, maintained heating and air conditioning systems, installed new fencing where needed, and completed classroom improvements to create more comfortable learning spaces.

At Clendenin STEM Elementary School, crews have also refreshed landscaping and are helping bring new murals to campus through the work of El Paso ISD's in-house artist, James O'Rourke. Across the district, maintenance staff continue working with campus leaders to identify projects that improve both the appearance and daily operations of each school.

Safety also remains a top priority. In addition to routine maintenance, crews inspect doors, locks, and security features to help ensure campuses are ready for students and staff on the first day of school. The district has also partnered with the City of El Paso to improve crosswalks around campuses, further supporting student safety during arrival and dismissal.

"Our work is important because we want students to feel happy when they come to school," said Fernando Arriaga, El Paso ISD Maintenance Foreman. "Every project we complete helps create a safer, more welcoming environment where students can focus on learning."

Arriaga said the work begins immediately after students leave for summer break, giving crews less than three months to complete projects across the district before the new school year begins.

"The security of our students is always our highest priority," Arriaga said. "We want to make sure every door is working properly, every lock is secure, and every campus is ready to welcome students back."

Although much of the work takes place behind the scenes, these summer improvement projects help ensure campuses are prepared to provide students with safe, clean, and inviting learning environments throughout the school year.