EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) —A parent-led education advocacy group in South-Central El Paso is raising concerns about school capacity just weeks before the new school year begins.
Familias Unidas por la Educación says hundreds of new students could be enrolling at neighborhood schools like Douglass, Guillen, and Bowie High, as families begin moving into the newly reopened Salazar Park Apartments.
The group says those campuses are already overcrowded and understaffed; they’re calling for action before the first day of class.
“We already have overcrowding at Douglass. Now that Salazar is reopening and Zavala is closed, those kids will be going in that direction too,” Cemelli de Aztlán with Familias Unidas said.
The Salazar Park Apartments reopened earlier this year following major renovations. The complex had been closed after a 2023 fire and now includes nearly 300 units designed for larger families.
In addition to the apartment complex reopening, the group points to the permanent closure of Zavala Elementary, which is relocating students to nearby campuses.
Aztlán says the group has been warning about capacity issues for years and is now calling for a portion of new state funding intended for at-risk and high-needs students to be invested directly into South-Central schools.
“The state just created additional resources specifically for at-risk, high needs students. And we’re demanding that money comes targeted into the Bowie feeder pattern,” Aztlán said.
The group is also asking the El Paso Independent School District to follow through on previous equity commitments and to consider reopening Beall Elementary, which the district closed in 2019.
The El Paso Independent School District sent a statement to KTSM:
“El Paso ISD remains committed to providing equitable access to high-quality education for every student. We understand and respect the voices of our families and community members, and we are always open to feedback and dialogue that helps us better serve our students.
“Every year, the district works diligently to ensure that all campuses are fully staffed with certified teachers, counselors, and support personnel.”
Familias Unidas is organizing a school registration event outside the former Beall campus at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, to help local families get their children enrolled in school.
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