[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6228145,"mediaKeyId","3477669-cee0d6e64902e35120023a0a30f8f16a","parentId",3477669,"title","Parents, advocates press Socorro ISD over early graduation and transition services for students with disabilities","audioSeconds",441,"startMs",1349000,"endMs",1790000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3477669-cee0d6e64902e35120023a0a30f8f16a&start=1349&end=1790","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3477669-cee0d6e64902e35120023a0a30f8f16a/thumbnail_1349000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6228145/Texas/Parents-advocates-press-Socorro-ISD-over-early-graduation-and-transition-services-for-students-with-disabilities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228145-04a632c4b55cfb62f783d97b6e15a02f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437741&Signature=eLHHFzQJ2SKIA9q-ZxpEcHlyVFJuBtaN0~JhX6mOyicpKvvE2qvkFICD1klVDSiWmg3LzWGZc6gpwjvVw02zSjPViPBt5Ix~w7IYdHrApmtWJYET8VAaiqp9sIL~K1fRIwx-WAbdiL1-mh8UP9GUw~ituqauONrHLb4L9dQ0RAFkfVLxmcPe-ZrBgVVbQ6Z8p8841cBlDMXX1AY2UlqLzD0jcpevDo5cgeUvOlcXs1N1IMZKiYQQOHAjrh3I~5IFthKbXsHa8pijCzGpBh~TmnrvhePHZBBupDJ8r51SGvYJNEoC8~BLmWHCJHfKEZKQJ3C1joBCB6UW5fQRWXqclA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Socorro ISD","date","2025-05-24T00:34:55.103Z","article","Parents and community advocates urged the Socorro Independent School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday to stop graduating students with disabilities at age 18 when, they said, transition planning and services required by their IEPs remain incomplete.

Speakers at the open‑forum portion of the meeting described a pattern of students being told they have “met goals” and will graduate at 18 even when families say those students lack basic life and job skills. Several Spanish‑speaking parents asked for translation and clearer communication around IEP meetings and ARD decisions.

Those who spoke said transition plans — which parents and advocates said must be developed beginning at age 14 — have not been produced or implemented for some students, and they asked that students be allowed to remain in SISD programs through age 21. Christina Sanchez, who said she is the legal guardian of an El Dorado High School student, told the board her granddaughter has not received a required transition plan and that “the IEP reports are inconsistent with what Mia can actually do.” Sanchez asked the ARD team to allow her granddaughter to remain in the district until age 22; Interim Superintendent James Vasquez told the board he would provide an update to trustees on Sanchez’s case by Friday and that administrators were looking into it \"as we speak.\" (Christina Sanchez, spoken comments.)

Several other speakers echoed Sanchez’s concerns. Rosie Perez of West Texas Alliance urged the board to revisit staffing and separation‑incentive decisions she said have led to reductions that affect special‑education services. Elizabeth Bos, Diana Serrano and Bonnie Bettis presented multiple examples in which parents said campuses marked students as having met goals while families believed students remained unable to perform basic hygiene, navigate community settings or hold jobs without substantial supports.

Administration and state conservators responded that the district is reviewing processes. During the meeting the Texas Education Agency’s conservators — Michael Hinojosa and Andrew Kim — described ongoing work to strengthen transcript and credit reviews and said the district is implementing or expanding Multi‑Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to better identify and address student needs before ARD decisions lead to graduation. Kim said staff are monitoring graduation and credit‑assignment procedures and that transcript reviews are a continuing priority.

Board President Najera and interim superintendent Vasquez acknowledged the public comments and asked staff to follow up. Vasquez told Sanchez directly that the district was looking into her granddaughter’s situation and would report back to the board. Conservator Andrew Kim said the district’s continuous improvement work includes ensuring resources and training align with student needs and that he would provide more detail in coming reports.

The public speakers also asked for clearer language access. Several parents said they had not been offered interpreters or written progress reports in Spanish for IEP/ARD meetings. Trustee(s) and staff agreed to examine how the district offers translation and to explore providing parent workshops that were described as limited or selective in past practice. Several parents and speakers asked the board to ensure ARD teams document alternatives before recommending graduation for students with significant support needs.

The board took no new formal policy action on special education at the meeting; trustees directed staff and the conservatorship team to investigate individual cases raised during public comment and to report back to the board. Multiple speakers asked for both case‑level remedies and broader procedural changes to ensure that transition planning and the right to receive services through age 21 are honored when appropriate.

Closing: Trustees said they would include follow‑up on special education transition processes in future board materials and conservator reports; families who testified asked for case‑level updates and for the district to expand meaningful interpretation and documentation practices.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Socorro ISD Board of Trustees Regular Board Meeting – May 21st, 2025 @ 6:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Parents and community advocates urged the Socorro Independent School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday to stop graduating students with disabilities at age 18 when, they said, transition planning and services required by their individualized education programs remain incomplete.","taxTitle","SOCORRO ISD, School Districts, Texas","taxId",13543,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6228124,"Socorro ISD to join other public entities in intervening in El Paso Electric rate case, subject to interlocal and counsel approval",95,11017000,11112000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3477669-cee0d6e64902e35120023a0a30f8f16a&start=11017&end=11112","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3477669-cee0d6e64902e35120023a0a30f8f16a/thumbnail_11017000.jpg","/articles/6228124/Texas/Socorro-ISD-to-join-other-public-entities-in-intervening-in-El-Paso-Electric-rate-case-subject-to-interlocal-and-counsel-approval","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228124-c3b577ca3e87d17efc7e08acaf8c2ba2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770411421&Signature=d7r710eb5lQpvpP726tMnpf8bjIBy9HdZumh4LLuVWFfs634FRqgjJjjFa7eGiRNbvSk8gTm~fQ4Ezi87mSe3wrrSWSnzdADf79r8yfFd-3eiEjpO2rB184x9Gb6wpdMy5drlKZ3QJCwIBsAzrzxrN3Ou47iP3O~PBtG42NmisCiXdhy8AYT3GrdqkylFtkw0gEyH9iHieoA~n8bhviiXDmQS-~0ojaV0dkAQCDc6fKS~2~qapKEvkB8Bhnig5u4diUMe~LcWDR8DdenoM6xt3hKEuL8KZ~rWvzg-GiVHxIASI7SDal0IcW1EiqS4BHcPm7nseIwq6K9M6lAVGDWcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Socorro ISD Board of Trustees voted Wednesday to intervene in a pending Public Utility Commission of Texas proceeding regarding El Paso Electric Company’s proposed rate changes for large public‑power customers, including the Rate 41 classification.

Legal counsel reported that the district had analyzed the benefits of joining a coalition of previous Rate 41 participants — including local governments, independent school districts and El Paso Community College — to challenge the utility’s proposed increase for that customer class. Counsel asked the board to authorize intervention in PUCT Docket No. 57568 (SOAH docket referenced in board materials) on the condition that at least 50 percent of prior Rate 41 member participants also intervene and that the district execute a future interlocal agreement and retain special counsel for the matter.

Trustee Maribel Macias made the motion to intervene subject to those conditions; Trustee Gardella seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote. The motion as presented requires a definitive interlocal agreement and engagement with special counsel before finalizing the district’s participation and financial commitment.

District counsel did not disclose estimated legal costs at the meeting; staff said attorneys and administration would return with an interlocal agreement and recommended special counsel engagement for the board’s future approval. Trustees said participating in a coalition of public entities could preserve the Rate 41 classification and mitigate potential rate increases that would affect the district’s utility costs.

No further details on projected costs or the interlocal agreement were approved at the meeting; the board’s intervention authorization is contingent on the stated conditions and a future approval by the board of the interlocal agreement and counsel engagement.","The board approved a motion to intervene in the Public Utility Commission of Texas docket concerning El Paso Electric's proposed rate changes for Rate 41 customers, contingent on sufficient participation by other Rate 41 entities and a future interlocal agreement and special counsel engagement.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6228129,"Board approves Finance & Operations Advisory Committee charter; committee to meet in June and July",363,6816000,7179000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3477669-cee0d6e64902e35120023a0a30f8f16a&start=6816&end=7179","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3477669-cee0d6e64902e35120023a0a30f8f16a/thumbnail_6816000.jpg","/articles/6228129/Texas/Board-approves-Finance-Operations-Advisory-Committee-charter-committee-to-meet-in-June-and-July","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228129-fa4dd4b615a2b6f3d6468a8f6bc24a05/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437741&Signature=AkHDJCBWcmFAKZUw0MWNTNZm6T3SPeLNxoDk7Bsq55~1PESk7GHWp~lJJHYtV08q0KvrtW4ROIGDCF7EgVzezvVmW6ocCCUnFqQtlIO8a1rCJXcZPoYdgTFMnV3RWMK38dB06QTHi8gVoAAXSGjOspwKnNeH1o9pC9fF9Wu~VsVN5dkmHsly2iYRDBl8ECty~69BQW~UvTESIDFfTMVuW6AefoOVWCA-EWgL99G1sAxk5V36eH7Rkkm~pnLvQhUdTmk27B60OtkzZXElTv46GepR1buhXrvDgeT0snHSP1qbPfh5z4xvXk9zofnqRekzzV3rcNXmYQWTVeQbb5evng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Socorro ISD Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved a charter to form a Finance and Operations Advisory Committee that will advise district leaders and trustees on budget planning and financial options ahead of the 2025‑26 budget decisions.

Administration described the committee as a stakeholder‑focused body meant to improve transparency and community engagement on budget tradeoffs. Daniel Escobar, chief communications officer, summarized several months of stakeholder discussions in which roughly 350 participants reviewed the district’s fiscal picture and submitted feedback. Common themes included concerns about job security, clarity on tax‑rate options, health insurance funding and a desire for transparent communications.

Under the approved charter, each trustee may appoint two community members and the superintendent will appoint two additional members; invitations will also be extended to community organizations and public partners (for example, the cities, Fort Bliss and employee associations). The board president will name the committee chair and vice chair. Administration said the committee would operate in an advisory capacity only and would not replace the board’s decision‑making role.

Staff proposed four meetings — two in June and two in July — with tentative dates of June 12, June 19, July 10 and July 17, beginning with a 5:30 p.m. meal and 6 p.m. start; materials will be posted publicly and staff said the sessions will be open, though they will not be formal board meetings subject to the Texas Open Meetings Act. The committee’s deliverable is a written recommendation for the board’s July 23 regular meeting.

Trustee Guerra moved to approve the charter and Trustee Woodcraft seconded. Trustees asked staff to ensure committee materials are posted online, to consider minority opinions alongside majority recommendations, and to recruit members who reflect the geographic areas and stakeholder groups served by the district. Administration will follow up individually with trustees to collect appointee names.","The board approved a charter to form a Finance and Operations Advisory Committee made up of trustee appointees, superintendent appointees and community representatives. The committee will hold four meetings in June/July and deliver recommendations to the board on July 23.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6228135,"Board approves using remaining 2017 bond funds to replace aging HVAC at Mission Ridge and Sierra Vista STEAM Academy",371,6523000,6894000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3477669-cee0d6e64902e35120023a0a30f8f16a&start=6523&end=6894","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3477669-cee0d6e64902e35120023a0a30f8f16a/thumbnail_6523000.jpg","/articles/6228135/Texas/Board-approves-using-remaining-2017-bond-funds-to-replace-aging-HVAC-at-Mission-Ridge-and-Sierra-Vista-STEAM-Academy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228135-5b21ea071fc0ba60703fa3880430290b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437741&Signature=AGU8IWnVm5-3HlvOIxEMbLr9NWqZyCMJYmypfo9pJoWh16dffl3G~IgWVDYdo5s5eYmxKIduc6BG10V6o1ZTi2ZD7ab6MajGYUdz42bGkdeYjlX7h7jkkq1-h~0RDkMEOJrOGUHI~~IsH0qpg~-NE373z1L-0TtOVEnDbZ0J12tVxUvhKkTObPOOxsCn9jka6kAIePZ2HWxrcA94ylQQ02fS6yfRQAjU3lkMW71TOREYCWZtzy6SunBKJM9l2aKlOvK3lSh7~L4S2hHMB0FD6o-k52wAjiOex95ibEseJdAjCKrvweg57ezZN1HUVJbMq9~fzvXKJnkNGKiJJk4o8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Socorro ISD Board of Trustees voted Wednesday to allocate the remaining balance of the 2017 bond toward critical mechanical system upgrades at two campuses, approving an option that directs roughly $1.7 million to replace aging HVAC components at Mission Ridge Elementary and Sierra Vista STEAM Academy.

Director of Operations David Carrasco and Director of Construction Liliana Fierro recommended using the remaining bond balance to replace priority variable‑refrigerant‑flow (VRF) and rooftop systems that district staff described as near or past the end of their service life and, in some cases, declared obsolete by suppliers. Carrasco said Mission Ridge incurred about $80,000 in parts and repair costs this fiscal year and faces roughly $30,000 in annual energy expense for impacted wings; Sierra Vista had incurred about $27,000 in parts and roughly $70,000 in energy use for troubled zones.

Administration presented two options. Option 1 would take on a larger replacement at a single campus; Option 2 — the board’s chosen course — addresses critical areas at both campuses to maximize impact with the available approximate balance of $1.7–1.8 million. Under Option 2, Mission Ridge wings E and D would be replaced at an estimated construction cost of $1,100,000 and Sierra Vista areas K and H at about $567,000; administration said a design fee of roughly $138,000 can be covered from facilities operating funds.

Legal counsel Steve Blanco advised that the projects fall within permissible uses of bond proceeds even though they were not explicitly listed in the original bond packet. Trustees discussed tradeoffs, service impact and the fact that some systems remain functioning today but are increasingly costly and difficult to maintain because parts are no longer manufactured.

Trustee Woodcraft moved to approve Option 2; Trustee Lidriguez seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote. Administration said the project is expected to reduce maintenance and energy expenses over time; Carrasco provided an estimate of annual savings of roughly $47,000–$59,000 at Mission Ridge and $41,000–$52,000 at Sierra Vista depending on final system selection.

Trustees and staff encouraged further districtwide HVAC planning to identify other critical systems, and staff said they will return with design schedules and procurement steps. The board will close out the remaining 2017 bond funds with the approved allocations, staff said.","Trustees approved an allocation of about $1.7 million from remaining 2017 bond funds to address priority HVAC replacements at Mission Ridge and Sierra Vista STEAM Academy through a narrowed option that targets the most critical wings.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6228139,"SISD finance staff say health fund faces $14M shortfall; district to convene employee committee and consider premium increases",1488,3227000,4715000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3477669-cee0d6e64902e35120023a0a30f8f16a&start=3227&end=4715","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3477669-cee0d6e64902e35120023a0a30f8f16a/thumbnail_3227000.jpg","/articles/6228139/Texas/SISD-finance-staff-say-health-fund-faces-14M-shortfall-district-to-convene-employee-committee-and-consider-premium-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228139-a8ec7a1de66f4a85c3c96f19813e092e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437741&Signature=bfyoZ0XvFAgFKExX3rE7mRwY0WVtDo3WbF4QedCJ3bwzy~I9pNAULISFLC55FVhpYn9q0-DfGhj59DNn6lb5a2Y6167OZsbYzUlRCkjVn2W8tHysqjuaWxCPI2v3NXxNYjLF-j1EuolK3fGC8uPBIIyFKkTgAE~U5vHMR9ciNX5SPCIvwmB9iwdZ2Z5c1TTmRqNPL8vQ74OXYvWf1EX7GoQFvdTg2bvDUgIFo-gIp9DUhXmO2-Rxz-DFdtgLhszNVTxffL0Czt54~TMpMv35CvNNtXr8vv1VHFut4QAJb66PO7UDIxhFvAJbssKIpCHrEPLB9sAWz4OehF3KBmkJ0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Socorro ISD officials told the Board of Trustees on Wednesday that the district’s internal health fund shows a multi‑million dollar deficit and that administrators will convene an employee committee to recommend plan design changes and premium adjustments.

David Solis, the district’s chief financial officer, reported the health fund is showing a $14,000,000 deficit and that administration anticipates needing to transfer about $11,400,000 from the general fund by year end to cover the shortfall. Solis said the district spent about $11,000,000 more on health care costs than at the same time last year and that employer contributions decreased to $555 per month per employee, creating a revenue shortfall relative to claims costs.

Solis and Chief Human Resources Officer Selena Stiles described a two‑track approach. First, the district will form a health‑plan committee composed of employees across job classes to review options and provide input; administrators expect to start committee meetings in June and aim to present formal recommendations to the board by August. Stiles said the administration is projecting a $10,000,000 gap to close and will bring plan options through the committee process. The district said it will hold informational meetings for employees during the review.

Administrators also described the kinds of plan‑design changes they are considering. Solis and Stiles said the district may adjust premiums substantially, particularly for employee‑plus‑spouse and family tiers, and could require step‑therapy or additional clinical criteria before covering some high‑cost medications, including GLP‑1 drugs used for diabetes and weight loss. Solis said those structural changes are possible approaches but that the district will not make changes without committee input and detailed proposals.

Trustees asked for committee logistics; Stiles said the committee would include a cross‑section of employees (transportation, teachers and others) and would meet initially in June with follow‑ups in July if necessary. The board asked that materials presented to the committee be posted publicly; staff agreed to publish committee materials online.

No immediate premium or benefit changes were approved at the meeting. The administration said it will bring options to the health‑fund committee for deliberation and then return to the board with specific recommendations, including projected financial impacts and, if needed, recommended contribution or premium changes.","CFO David Solis reported a multi‑million dollar health‑fund deficit and recommended a committee to propose plan design and premium changes. District leaders set a timeline for a committee process and expect a recommendation to the board by August.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parents, advocates press Socorro ISD over early graduation and transition services for students with disabilities

Socorro ISD to join other public entities in intervening in El Paso Electric rate case, subject to interlocal and counsel approval

Board approves Finance & Operations Advisory Committee charter; committee to meet in June and July

Board approves using remaining 2017 bond funds to replace aging HVAC at Mission Ridge and Sierra Vista STEAM Academy

SISD finance staff say health fund faces $14M shortfall; district to convene employee committee and consider premium increases