Dear El Paso ISD,
I hope you all are doing well and are enjoying the cooler weather as we settle into November. This is a season that reminds us of gratitude, reflection, and community. I continue to feel deeply grateful for the students, staff, families, and partners who make El Paso ISD such a special place.
As we begin a new month, I want to take a moment to update you on several meaningful initiatives happening across our district.
We have concluded the community feedback phase of our superintendent search. Families, staff, students, and community members shared their voices through in-person meetings and an online questionnaire. These responses helped shape the Leadership Profile Report which outlines the qualities our community values most. TASB Executive Search Services will begin recruiting and vetting candidates who align with our district’s needs and vision.
On Friday, our district came together for one of our most joyful traditions, Read Across the District (RAD). This year’s kickoff at Hart Elementary featured children’s author Lisa Caprelli, who met with students throughout the day. Campuses across El Paso ISD hosted their own celebrations of literacy, creativity, and the love of reading. Events like RAD highlight our continued commitment to keeping literacy at the heart of our work.
We are also looking forward to celebrating our students at WeatherFest this Saturday, Nov. 8, at The Outlet Shoppes at El Paso. Twelve EPISD campuses, including several of our new elementary academies, will present their STEM-based weather projects as they compete for the Ultimate Weather Warrior Award. I invite our families to join us for this free, family-friendly event and help cheer on these remarkable young scientists and performers.
We also want to give a shout out to our Fine Arts students, whose hard work and talent were on full display throughout this year’s marching season. El Paso ISD marching bands earned exceptional results across Texas and New Mexico, demonstrating the dedication, discipline, and artistry that define our programs. Congratulations to Andress, Coronado, El Paso, Franklin, and Irvin High Schools for advancing to the UIL Area Marching Competition. A special recognition goes to Franklin for placing 7th at Area Finals. Our bands also shined at the NMSU Tournament of Bands, where Irvin earned Class B Champion, Austin placed 1st and Bowie 3rd in the Small School Division. Coronado placed 4th in the Large School Division while also receiving the Outstanding Music Award. We are incredibly proud of our student performers and directors!
I also want to extend heartfelt congratuations to Coach Jonathan Elliott, head football coach at Irvin High School, who has been named the 2025 Game-Changing Coach of the Year by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football and Ballogy. Out of 60 finalists statewide, Coach Elliott earned the top honor—a testament to his leadership, dedication, and commitment to helping student-athletes succeed on and off the field. We are incredibly proud of his positive impact on the Irvin community.
Our schools have already begun hosting meaningful celebrations in honor of Veterans Day, with more events planned across the district next week as we approach November 11. I invite you to view photos from our recent ceremonies by clicking here. As a reminder, the district will be closed on Nov. 11 as we pause to honor the courage, sacrifice, and service of all veterans in our community.
As we move forward, I’m inspired by the strength, resilience, and creativity that define El Paso ISD. Every day, I see students learning with curiosity, teachers leading with heart, and families lifting one another up.
It starts with us.
Sincerely,
Martha Aguirre
Interim Superintendent, El Paso Independent School District