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Opinion: Ysleta ISD making progress on controlling costs, but more work remains [1]

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Date: 2025-05-26

By Chris Hernandez

Over the past several years, the Ysleta Independent School District board has invested heavily in our staff — raising salaries and providing stipends to recognize their hard work.

Chris Hernandez, candidate for District 7 city representative.

And just this month, the district took serious steps toward restoring fiscal stability. We approved the sale of two vacant properties, launched a voluntary resignation incentive projected to save $15 million, and identified over $10 million in projected spending cuts.

These are significant moves — but the financial situation remains deeply concerning.

For years, the district has spent more than it brings in. Federal COVID relief helped bridge the gap, but that funding is gone — while many of the expenses remain. Since 2020, YISD has lost over 6,500 students, and the state has not increased per-student funding in six years. That has created a structural imbalance.

Last month, the projected deficit for FY 2024-2025 stood at $56 million. After recent action, it has dropped to $45.6 million. That’s real progress, but we are still on track to end the year with just $37 million in our general fund — well below the level recommended by TEA.

If we don’t act now, the general fund balance could fall to $20 million next year and under $10 million the year after.

If we don’t course-correct, we risk painful cuts that affect students and staff. But the work we did this month shows that we are serious about turning things around. Recovery won’t happen overnight — but with focus, discipline, and a commitment to equity, it’s within reach.

I voted no on the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 budgets because they relied on unsustainable deficit spending. At the same time, I continue to advocate for a holiday stipend for hourly employees only — those who often earn the least and don’t receive annual step increases. It’s a targeted way to help the most vulnerable while being mindful of our financial reality.

Chris Hernandez is a trustee of the Ysleta Independent School District.

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[1] Url: https://elpasomatters.org/2025/05/26/opinion-ysleta-isd-budget-deficit/

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