Parents and others worried about the future of the 100-year-old campus in Socorro, Texas

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Saturday, May 18, was a day of mixed emotions for Socorro families with close ties to the Escontrias STEAM Academy of the Socorro Independent School District.

The school where SISD was born celebrated the campus’ 100th anniversary with games, refreshments, a car show and other family activities.

“The Escontrias community is unique in that many generations of families are still a part of this community. They are not moving out,” said Escontrias principal Jesse Aguirre.

Students, parents and alumni gathered to enjoy the events, but for many it was a bittersweet moment as the future of the school became uncertain.

At last Tuesday’s board meeting, district officials clarified that they were not considering closing the school, but rather moving classes from the Escontrias Early Childhood Center, located in the historic school building, to the main building, which houses students in grades 2 through 5.

Officials said it could potentially save the district $1 million to help address a multimillion-dollar deficit.

“Many parents like me placed my child in this school (Escontrias) because it was a special, inclusive program for preschool children. We are losing that because it is one of the few campuses in the district that is segregated,” said Miriam Munoz, one of a group of parents who started an online petition opposing SISD potentially moving some in-school activities.

“They think there is room there. One of my first jobs was as a secretarial assistant for a summer program. I am a graduate of both schools and I can tell you that there are few places. There may be empty classrooms, but there is not much space,” Munoz said.

“The only reason I’m enrolling my child in this early years school is because I don’t want him to have contact with other older children. I prefer him to be around kids his age,” said Evelyz Luna, who is also an Escontrias graduate.

“I think the newer part of the school is not suitable for children. It seems to me that they want to convert the library into three sections for children aged 3 and 4 and it is not equipped for them. It will be hot in summer. The children also get frustrated quickly and the outdoor playground is not equipped for them,” said Luis Zargoza, whose father and now his children attend Escontrias.

Escontrias Early Childhood Center also runs specialized programs that the district would have to move to other schools.

Socorro ISD Board President Michael Najera attended the ceremony and spoke with Munoz and other parents about their concerns.

He said nothing was formalized and the ideas had not been officially recommended.

“My message to them would be to assure them that the campus is going nowhere,” Najera said when asked to address concerned parents.

“The creation of a STEAM Academy should demonstrate a commitment to this particular campus, to the school itself,” he said. “There was just a list of possibilities, but there was no discussion about it or anything. Escontrias is the cornerstone of this community. This is a campus we need and will continue to support in the district.”

City of Socorro leaders were also in attendance to join in the celebration of the historic campus and its importance to their community.

“It is the flagship school of the entire district and the city of Socorro, which is why the district is named after the city of Socorro. It all started here,” Socorro City Representative Rudy Cruz Jr. said. “You will find that students who attend this institution, most likely their parents attended this institution, as well as their grandparents. So it’s very unique. You don’t find that in many places here in El Paso or even Texas.

Cruz said he attended Escontrias, as did his parents and grandparents.

Socorro Mayor Ivy Avalos said she is “disheartened” that SISD may consider relocating some Escontrias classes, and believes they should look elsewhere to address the budget deficit.

“Why are we closing schools? Why are we thinking about moving children when we should be thinking about opening more schools in Socorro?” – said Avalos. “I hope the Board of Trustees will reconsider some of these opinions. I am here to be with parents and children. This is the most important thing to us in Socorro.”

Munoz and Luna said a special meeting with the school’s principal will be held at Escontrias on Tuesday, May 21 at 8:30 p.m., and they encourage other parents to join them in expressing their concerns.