Eagle Pass Independent School District Celebrates Grand Opening of Transportation Department Building
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2023
The Eagle Pass Independent School District (EPISD) inaugurated its new Transportation Department Multi-Plex Center with a grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 with EPISD Board of Trustees Jorge Barrera, President, Hilda P. Martinez-Caballero, Vice-President, Dr. Hector Alvarez, Secretary, Lupita Fuentes, Glenna Purcell, and Christopher Hiller, and Superintendent Samuel Mijares, Deputy Superintendent for District Operations Rolando Salinas, Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction John Cox, Executive Director for Instruction David Camarillo, Executive Director for Human Resources Jesus A. Castillo, Transportation Department Director Humberto Araiza, Executive Director for School Improvement Rene Martinez, Public Information Officer Daniella Byrne, State Representative Humberto Morales, Jr., Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas, Jr., Eagle Pass City Council Members Mario E. Garcia and Monica J. Cruz, Maverick County Commissioner Precinct 4 Roberto Ruiz, EPISD Transportation Bus Drivers, and other distinguished guests in attendance.
Superintendent Samuel Mijares thanked the EPISD Board of Trustees for supporting the students, teachers, staff, bus drivers, and the community in approving the much needed Transportation Department Multi-Plex Center. Mijares credited a Committee of District Bus Drivers for suggesting the need to provide the Transportation Department a new state of the art building featuring a business office, dispatch office, conference room, restroom, and maintenance center. Mijares stated the Bus Drivers are the key to students attending school and keeping the school district open with students. He concluded acknowledging that this new Transportation Department Multi-Plex Center building is a total community success and achievement.
Board of Trustees President Jorge Barrera stated the new Transportation Department building is “a beautiful facility” that is deserving of the outstanding men and women who work as bus drivers, mechanics, and administration in the department to ensure students have safe, reliable, and efficient transportation services for all of their school activities. Barrera added the new building was “sorely needed” and he was glad the Board of Trustees approved the project and funding for its development. He thanked the bus drivers and mechanics for their outstanding services to the school district and its students.
Transportation Department Director Humberto Araiza thanked the Board of Trustees and Superintendent Samuel Mijares for the new building and bringing the District’s transportation facilities up to par with larger school districts such as in San Antonio. Araiza added the local district bus drivers, mechanics, and staff greatly needed a larger facility that will allow them to have training classes, indoor conference room, and host special events for Transportation Department employees and services. He noted the new building will assist in uniting and bringing a positive change within the department personnel.
EPISD Public Information Officer Daniella Byrne was the Mistress of Ceremony at the historic grand opening ceremony.
EPISD Spirit Ambassador and C. C. Winn High School Senior Kiana Kancheff led the ceremony with the Pledge of Allegiance.
The C. C. Winn High School Silverline Dance Team performed a Christmas holiday dance for entertainment and participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Following the speakers, an official grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony was held with Board of Trustees, Superintendent Mijares, Administration, distinguished guests, bus drivers, and students participating in the ceremonial ribbon-cutting act.
The EPISD provided a delicious breakfast and refreshments for all guests following the ribbon-cutting.
Guests enjoyed a personal tour of the new state of the art Transportation Department building.
