Dear El Paso ISD, 

Summer is here, but El Paso’s District remains busy shaping a bright future for its students.  

On Tuesday, June 20, the Board of Trustees adopted a budget aligned to our mission, vision and core values. Trustees approved a $542.9 million budget for the 2023-2024 academic year. The adopted budget maintains fiscal responsibility while allowing the district to remain competitive in the pursuit of goals outlined in our Hopes and Dreams Realized strategic blueprint.  

All district personnel are receiving a 2% pay increase. This adds to the 7% increase for teachers approved last year and other benefits approved since then, including 10 paid additional days for parental leave, a new employee emergency leave donation pool that allows eligible district employees to donate sick leave hours to colleagues, and an increase in the contribution amount of health savings accounts to $1,000. These are all efforts to foster academic excellence by attracting, growing, and retaining top talent equipped and empowered to meet the needs of all students. 

The district would like to thank those who joined us in the board room to advocate for additional compensation and benefits. We always welcome your advocacy and greatly appreciate your service. We are optimistic that as we resolve the many challenges we face as a district associated with declining enrollment, we will be in a better position to provide more in the future. 

I am grateful for the board’s trust in our ability to continue to steward the pioneering spirit of El Paso ISD.  

At the conclusion of Tuesday’s meeting, trustees welcomed two new members who won their respective seats in the June runoff election. Valerie Beals is the new District 6 representative while Alex Cuellar will represent District 2. We look forward to working with our new trustees to ensure a bright future and continued success for our district. Welcome to El Paso ISD!   

I want to remind parents that next week will be the final week that free breakfast and lunch is offered at our middle schools. However, free meals will continue to be served through July 7 to children ages 1 to 18 at our elementary campuses as part of the Seamless Summer Option meal program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. To see schedules, menus and a list of participating campuses, visit our website at episd.org. 

Lastly, I hope everyone is enjoying their time outdoors this summer. But be mindful of your safety and that of your loved ones. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory as several days of temperatures exceeding 100 degrees are expected through the rest of the month. Please drink water, wear sunscreen and don't remain in the sun for prolonged periods of time.  

Let’s close the final week of June on a strong note. Adelante together.  

It starts with us.  

Sincerely, 

Diana Sayavedra
Superintendent of Schools

June 23, 2023