El Paso Matters – Q&A: EPISD District 5 Trustee Candidates in May 3 Uniform Election

Melvin Milton: Short-term and long-term vision are to address the budget crisis immediately with refreshing thoughts. Yes, we must continue to stand up versus the legislation that is removing monies from our public schools and attempting to transfer them to charters and vouchers.

Robert Osterland: Addressing challenges impacting academic performance such as teacher retention, resource allocation, transparency of decision-making and the ongoing concerns with voucher programs.  I am aiming to transform the district into a high-performing educational system where academic success is the norm. I believe strongly in a robust public education system that serves every child, regardless of background or income. Success will be measured through both academic performance and community trust.

Israel Irrobali: My vision is to create a district where students thrive, educators feel valued and families trust EPISD. I will strengthen academic outcomes and ensure financial stability in the short term. Long term, EPISD will be the premier district in the region. Success is measured by the impact our decisions have on students and community. This is reflected in our five levers, which prioritize the whole child experience, academic excellence, becoming a destination district, accountability and equity.

Melvin Milton: I have over 24 years of experience with curriculum development, budget management, and generating /executing policy. I currently manage a $14.5 million budget and develop policies as the mobility manager with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Robert Osterland: In the military, I engaged in mission planning, resource allocation and execution under pressure. Military operations necessitate meticulous budgeting to ensure resources are allocated efficiently. I navigated changing environments, addressed unforeseen challenges and developed innovative solutions. Leading a nonprofit youth organization requires me to surround our young athletes with motivational leaders and mentors ensuring they reach their goals.

Israel Irrobali: As board president and District 5 trustee, I have successfully managed these responsibilities over four years. We have passed three balanced budgets, developed policies to enhance EPISD’s culture, increased employee compensation and benefits, and implemented rigorous districtwide curriculum. In a time when public education is under attack, experience matters. I know how to do the job and will continue to advocate for strong policies, financial stability and academic excellence.

Melvin Milton: Priorities for the budget are facility improvements, staff/teacher pay improvements and education resources. I am looking to internally reduce our staff at the administration level, will review the manpower increase at the administrative level over the last five years and make some adjustments. We must sell the majority of properties from the school closures to continue reducing our budget crisis. Increasing properties for our community is not in the equation.

Robert Osterland: Ensuring every student has access to high-quality instruction, supporting our teachers and staff, maintaining safe and well-equipped school facilities, and expanding programs that support both academic achievement and student well-being. Ultimately, the goal is to make smart, sustainable investments in our schools while respecting financial realities of our community. We can support students and teachers, and be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.

Israel Irrobali: My budget priorities put people first — students and EPISD employees. Every student deserves a high-quality education, and every employee deserves job security. By focusing on our people, we can improve student outcomes by retaining our talented team. I will continue prioritizing operational efficiency and optimizing EPISD’s resources to ensure financial stability before considering any tax increases. Responsible budgeting will allow us to invest in success while keeping property taxes in check.

Melvin Milton: Facility improvements and education resources are a key of my campaign. We continue to be cosmetically not attractive to our community and children. Our education competes with other districts but lacks resources. Our facilities are old, the landscape not manicured, hallways relate to the Flintstones era, etc. Bring in programs that attract children and make them want to come to school.

Robert Osterland: We need to focus on delivering well-rounded educational experience that meets the diverse needs of our community. We need a rigorous curriculum, innovative teaching methods, and have strong support for both high-achieving and struggling students. I would like to also propose an early career orientation approach where students can also have the option to follow a vocational path.

Israel Irrobali: Families choose schools based on the quality of education and experiences offered. Strong programming, dedicated employees and a clear vision make EPISD the best choice. As a trustee, I have helped introduce two public Montessori schools, more than tripled Pre-K enrollment and expanded programs that prepare students for success after graduation. I will continue to support innovative initiatives that give every student a pathway to success and make EPISD the top choice for families.

Melvin Milton: The school board must generate a neutral ethical board to review all decisions made by the trustees. Adapt some policies/procedures from other school boards regarding ethics and process that must be followed. The ethical board will hold board members accountable, and results are public records and transparent. In addition, involve the teachers unions more as they have the pulse of the schools. Their presence will ensure transparency to other staff members and teachers.

Robert Osterland: I would work tirelessly to ensure the public is aware of times and location of meetings and offer as much resources as possible to ensure accessibility to those meetings/town halls.

Israel Irrobali: Transparency and accountability are the foundation of strong leadership. As a trustee, I have actively engaged with the community, meeting stakeholders and attending hundreds of events to ensure every voice is heard. I will continue championing open access to information, data and key discussions. Through open dialogue and responsible decision-making, we can build trust and secure a brighter future for every student.

Melvin Milton: Biggest challenge is gaining the communities and staff trust back into the board of trustees. Ensuring that we make positive strides to reduce the negative impact of these closures for these families that were affected. You address the trust issue by being fully transparent from Day 1 and communicating effectively with the community. Listen to issues from the families affected and find sustainable solutions.

Robert Osterland: Although the decision has been made to close many schools, the community is still owed an explanation and plan of action. The board has a responsibility to release comprehensive details including the criteria and rationale behind the school closures. This should be accompanied by accessible summaries for those who are not familiar with the technical aspects of the decision. We must rebuild trust through transparency, structured engagement and serious accountability measures.

Israel Irrobali: My focus is growing EPISD’s 140-year legacy of academic excellence, competitive athletics and unmatched programming while maintaining financial stability. Other districts in El Paso are making tough decisions — laying off employees, cutting programs, increasing class size and taking out loans to make payroll. I will work to ensure this does not happen to EPISD. By prioritizing people and responsible management, we can protect and expand opportunities without compromising quality.