Community meetings are expected to continue into early June focusing on a proposed bond for the sprawling El Paso Independent School District.
With more an enrollment more than 63,000 students and just over 90 campuses, the district is one of the largest of its kind not only in Texas, but also the entire U.S.
But as one of the oldest districts in the state, it has been challenged trying to keep up with the facility needs of its schools, some 33 of which are more than 60 years old.
Earlier this year a citizens’ bond steering committee was formed to provide a more incisive perspective on facility needs. Beginning with meetings in March, the committee, made up of district staff, community members, and parents, has not only been looking at school building upgrades, but also facility safety issues.
Those safety issues may not only see the district installing the latest security equipment in its schools, but also camera systems, and possibly even call boxes. According to committee documents, the installation of vape detection systems are also being considered. Such systems would use “specialized air-quality sensors that are installed in locations such as restrooms and locker rooms to continuously sample the air.”
An earlier facilities assessment commission by the district identified 22 campuses in the system with buildings that are regarded as being in poor condition.
An El Paso Independent School District $669 million bond proposal in 2016 for similar work was approved with 55% of the vote.
The bond committee is expected to meet at least two more times before the district’s Board of Trustees in August takes up the question of whether to put the bond on the November ballot.
May 15, 2026
By Garry Boulard
