Ysleta Board Votes to Rename Cesar Chavez Academy
The Ysleta Independent School District trustees approved renaming the school to The Academy in a 6-1 vote.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Administration
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The Ysleta Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 6-1 to rename Cesar Chavez Academy to The Academy. The decision was reached during a meeting held on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
Why it matters
Board President Carlos Bustillos stated that the name change serves to reflect the stated wishes of constituents residing in the Riverside area of El Paso.
The school board moved forward with the renaming in a 6-1 vote. Trustee Shane Haggerty cast the lone dissenting vote against the motion.
The players
Carlos Bustillos
He serves as the Board President for the Ysleta Independent School District.
Shane Haggerty
He is a trustee for the Ysleta Independent School District who cast the dissenting vote.
Ysleta Independent School District
This public school district provides education to students in the El Paso area.
The details
The change officially transitions the school's title from Cesar Chavez Academy to The Academy. The vote concludes a recent board deliberation regarding the identity of the school within the district.
Timeline
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026: The Ysleta ISD board conducted the vote to rename the academy.
Culture Shift
The decision mirrors a broader trend of school boards re-evaluating institutional names to align with localized community preferences. This shift highlights how local governance bodies increasingly prioritize current constituent sentiment over existing legacy titles.
Residents and families in the Riverside area should anticipate updates to the school's official branding and signage following the board's decision. The change marks the beginning of a transition phase for the institution's public identity.
The takeaway
Community input remains a central factor in how local school districts handle sensitive naming decisions for public facilities. Residents interested in future policy changes are encouraged to monitor district board meeting agendas.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments within the El Paso Administration records.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KTSM 9 News.
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Should school boards avoid renaming schools if the new name fails to reflect local community heritage?
