This is your weekly news roundup, which takes a quick look at some developments in government, politics, education, environment and other topics across El Paso.
Socorro ISD Delays Layoff Notifications
Socorro Independent School District teachers and staff will need to wait a little longer to find out if they will lose their jobs under a plan to lay off 300 employees.
The district has delayed its deadline to notify employees who will be laid off as it continues to receive resignation notices and calculates how many positions will still need to be cut, Celina Stiles, SISD’s interim chief human resources officer, said during a board meeting Wednesday.
The district initially planned to send out layoff notices by April 1, but set an April 7 deadline for employees to resign or retire and get a $2,500 separation payment.
“We would hate to preemptively notify somebody when a resignation is received, and it would reverse that action. So we’re shifting the timeline a little bit, just because we want to make sure that we’re very thorough in how we’re addressing that, and we don’t want to inadvertently notify somebody that doesn’t need to be notified,” Stiles said during the meeting.
SISD will send employees notices as “the process is worked through and individual positions are confirmed.”
Stiles said the district plans to present information on the layoffs at the next regular board meeting, scheduled for April 16.
City to Host Community Tree Planting Saturday
The city is hosting two volunteer tree-planting events in an effort to increase its tree canopy.
The event is being held through the city’s 915 Tree Keepers Program along with the Parks and Recreation Department, Climate and Sustainability Division, and the Paso del Norte Community Foundation. The tree planting is funded by a $10,000 donation from the community foundation.
The plantings begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Riverside Park, 7600 Alameda Ave., and at Playa Drain Trail, 9718 Craddock Ave. The plantings will continue until noon or until all the trees are planted.
Walk-up volunteers are welcome, or people can sign up online. Volunteers are encouraged to wear pants, long-sleeve shirts and closed-toe shoes.
The Parks and Recreation Department and the 915 Tree Keepers Program have planted 274 trees since October 2024.
Information: 915 Tree Keepers Program
County Moves Forward with $54 million Debt Issuance
The El Paso County Commissioners Court Monday voted 4 to 1 to publish a notice of intent to issue about $54 million in certificates of obligation. Commissioner Illiana Holguin voted against the measure.
The certificates of obligation, debt that doesn’t require voter approval, will be used for streets, water and sewer infrastructure projects throughout the county.
County officials have said the issuance will not impact the debt service portion of the tax rate since prior debt issuances were paid off and the new debt would take their place.
The notice of intent gives taxpayers time to provide feedback or file a petition opposing the debt. If a petition gathers enough signatures opposing the debt issuance, the county could call for an election where voters would decide if the debt can be issued.
Commissioners will vote May 5 on whether to issue the debt.
Monetary Awards for EPCC Employee Recognition Formalized
The El Paso Community College Board of Trustees voted March 26 to formalize financial payouts for eight $1,000 awards at the district’s Annual Employee Recognition Ceremony during their monthly meeting at the Administrative Services Building, 9050 Viscount Blvd.
The board voted 5-0 to approve a resolution that made official the district’s practice of awarding one-time monetary payments to faculty and staff who have been college employees for at least six months and have fostered a culture of excellence.
The vote was taken after the trustees returned from an executive session. Board Vice Chair Carmen Olivas Graham made the motion that was seconded by Trustee Jesus Mendez. Trustee Bonnie Soria Najera was not present for the vote.
The money would go to recipients of the President’s Excellence Award, EPCC Minnie Stevens Piper Professor Award, Outstanding Full-time Faculty Achievement Award, Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Achievement Award, as well as the Professional and Classified staff employees of the year awards (full-time and part-time).
A college spokeswoman said that the resolution ensures that the monetary awards become part of a permanent recognition.
The purpose of these annual awards is to recognize the exceptional efforts of these employees. and to inform the public of the good work being done through the college. The college stated in its resolution that these acknowledgements also help with employee morale, retention and productivity, and encourage teamwork and dedication.
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