Pat Esparza's sons are second- and fourth-graders at Mesita Elementary School. One of her students is part of the “Connecting World, Los Mundos” gifted and talented program which teaches students Spanish.

"It's necessary for the children who do not speak Spanish who live in the border community to have the gift of both languages," said Esparza.

The program is a value for Esparza, but a potential savings to the district to get rid of such programs as they face a multi-million dollar budget shortfall.

"Because of the failure of the TRE we know things are very, very tight," said El Paso Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Lorenzo Garcia.

Voters opted not to pass the tax increase last summer and EPISD is losing funding from the state about 5 percent or $22 million.

"The financial structure for education it has not been sound for many years," said Garcia.

The district is trying to have minimal impact in the classroom when it comes to the cuts.

"The board did approve to cut $3.1 million of central office positions," said Garcia.

The biggest reduction was the 62 Language Proficiency Assessment Committee Clerks.

Other positions include 9 ninth-grade At-Risk Coordinators, 17 middle school At-Risk Coordinators and 28 Central Office positions. That totaled savings of $1.2 million in clerical positions and $1.2 million in campus positions.

"Overall, we did accomplish about $6 million of reductions, that's about 143 people that we will begin working with to find positions, other positions for them within the district," said Garcia.

The cuts are just a start. Garcia said the district is trying to cut a total of $28 million. That is why Esparza wants to have her voice heard to make sure that doesn't end programs she says are crucial to her children's education.

"I would probably have to choose a charter school or a private school, because the program is that good," said Esparza.

Ten high school librarian jobs were also on the chopping block, but the board was split on whether or not to eliminate those positions. The motion to eliminate the position died and at this point the librarians will keep their jobs.