Only seven attend EPISD bond meeting as $445M plan draws sharp questions

Only seven attend EPISD bond meeting as $445M plan draws sharp questions by Julia Spencer Tue, November 10, 2026 at 10:24 PM 3 VIEW ALL PHOTOS Julia Spencer reports on EPISD to start community meetings on potential bond after delaying decision to May 2027 (Credit: KFOX) - 9c354cd8-f5ee-44ea-b1db-111362249ce3.png Comment on this story 0 Comment Share story Share topics: El Paso ISD Bond Community meeting Air conditioning HVAC Facility improvements Transparency Swamp coolers EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — With nearly $445 million in potential bond funding at stake, only seven people showed up tonight at Irvin High School to question El Paso Independent School District leaders about aging campuses, air conditioning and how the district would spend the money. The meeting, hosted by District 4 Trustee Mindy Sutton, was part of the district’s ongoing effort to gather community feedback on a proposed $445 million bond that would fund facility improvements across EPISD. Residents who attended raised concerns about repairing older schools with declining enrollment and asked how the money would be divided among campuses. “So those ten schools that we need to that we're being told we need to repair are only at half capacity,” one community member said. Another community member said, “I think the bonds are trying to be sold, because 'let's not have our students sweat in classrooms.' " Some residents also questioned transparency and whether the district would follow through on its promises, one referenced the district's previous bond. Julia Spencer reports on EPISD to start community meetings on potential bond after delaying decision to May 2027 (Credit: KFOX) “A lot of promises were made...” one community member said. Another added, “Well it's hard for me to trust.” Several residents who shared concerns declined to speak on camera with KFOX14/CBS4, saying they feared possible retaliation. Sutton said residents want clearer information about where bond dollars would go and how the public would be involved. “People are really wanting to understand that if a bond passes, where is that money going to go? They want to understand that they have a say in it,” Sutton said. Air conditioning has been a major focus of the bond discussions. Sutton said 23 EPISD schools rely entirely on swamp coolers. A May facility assessment identified more than $67 million in HVAC repair and replacement needs. “I was a teacher, a kindergarten teacher at Edgar Park Elementary, which has 100% swamp coolers. I suffered in heat with my 24 kindergartners,” Sutton said. With turnout low, Sutton said she is willing to take the conversation to residents in other settings. “Schools aren't necessarily comfortable for some people. So we're happy to go to neighborhood association meetings. We're happy to go to apartment buildings,” Sutton said. El Paso ISD will host six additional community meetings through Nov. 18, giving residents opportunities to learn about the potential $445 million bond proposal, ask questions and share their concerns about district facility needs. According to the district, all remaining meetings begin at 5:30 p.m. The schedule is as follows: Thursday, Nov. 12Coronado High School, Band Room, Brian Kelley, District 7 Monday, Nov. 16El Paso High School Library, Leah Hanany, District 1 Monday, Nov. 16Tinajero PK-8, Alex Cuellar, District 2 Monday, Nov. 16Nixon Elementary School, Robert Osterland, District 5 Monday, Nov. 16Guerrero Elementary School, Dr. Matthew Reza, District 6 Wednesday, Nov. 18Coldwell Elementary School Auditorium, Dr. Jack Loveridge, District 3 RELATED: EPISD to start community meetings on potential bond after delaying decision to May 2027 Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox NEWS IN PHOTOS: " Local " 3 NEW Only seven attend EPISD bond meeting as $445M plan draws sharp questions 5 NEW Paxton drops case against El Paso’s largest migrant shelter network, Annunciation House 3 El Paso Water repairs 10-inch main break on Hawkins near North Loop Tuesday night 7 Dona Ana County receives $3M for CRRUA tank cleaning under Project Jupiter benefits deal