EPISD Faces $52.8 Million Deficit, Plans Major Job Cuts Ahead of Summer

The El Paso Independent School District (EPISD) is grappling with a significant financial crisis, projecting a $52.8 million deficit by the end of the school year. This shortfall is expected to lead to the elimination of approximately 410 jobs, impacting around 10% of the district's workforce of over 7,400 employees. The district's financial troubles stem from a budget that was not adjusted for a larger-than-anticipated drop in student enrollment, resulting in a $42 million budget gap for the upcoming 2026-27 school year. The EPISD board will convene on Tuesday at 8 a.m. to discuss their strategy and will vote on a declaration of financial exigency on Thursday at 5 p.m., which would allow them to break employee contracts. Families and employees are urged to stay informed about these developments as they unfold.

Key Details: • EPISD board meeting on Tuesday at 8 a.m. to discuss financial strategy. • Vote on financial exigency scheduled for Thursday at 5 p.m. • Estimated 410 job cuts, affecting about 10% of staff. • Public school employees may qualify for unemployment benefits if laid off.