El Paso Independent School District continues to clean house of those tied to the cheating scheme orchestrated by former superintendent Loranzo Garcia.

The school board voted unanimously Tuesday morning to begin the process of terminating another employee, assistant principal of Bowie High School, Anna Luisa Kell.

Kell has been on paid leave since Nov. 3, shortly after the principal of Bowie High School, Jesus Chavez, resigned.

The district could not comment on the specifics for Kell's termination but said they did conduct investigations, audits and relied on the advice of their legal team.

The district did confirm her termination is related to Garcia's district-wide corruption scheme in which hundreds of kids were turned away or "disappeared" from the district so they would not have to take state tests. Garcia is now serving three years in prison.

"This has been a very big job for all of us in the El Paso School District. But we are working diligently in doing what is right and fair and honest and making sure we are balanced in our approach in how we are handling this," said EPISD interim Superintendent Vernon Butler. 

While some have criticized the board for a slow response in firing employees tied to the scandal, the district said it must take it one step at a time.

"And most importantly, doing what is right and just and making certain we are putting forth our best foot in our effort in educating our students and bringing back the public support, that is so important for us," said Butler. 

Also at Tuesday's meeting, trustees agreed to remove an agenda item to terminate the assistant superintendent in charge of the high school district, James Anderson, to allow for more information to be presented. Anderson is currently on paid leave. 

Board president, Isela Castanon-Williams explained the board's reasons. "To ensure the money that taxpayerspay for education goes into the classroom rather than to settle lawsuits," said Castanon Williams.
"So far this board has acted very responsibly and we do not have a problem taking a step back, to allow for further work to be done," she added.

Butler could not say if the city can expect to see more employees fired soon. "I can't answer that. Again, we are dealing with personnel and those things will come about if those things come out. We are not certain of that yet," said Butler. 

Employees do have the ability to appeal the termination and go through a hearing.