Eagle Pass ISD Delays Records Release in Case of Lorena Alvarez
EAGLE PASS, Texas — Records released through the Texas Public Information Act show that Lorena Alvarez has worked for the Eagle Pass Independent School District for nearly two decades and has advanced through several administrative positions. Her file reflects steady increases in pay throughout her employment. However, key documents requested by the public, including her timesheets and clock-in history, were not released. Instead, the district’s legal counsel, Escamilla & Poneck, LLP, asked the Texas Attorney General to determine whether those documents must be disclosed, which has delayed the request.
Lorena Alvarez is a Scholarship Secretary not an administrator at the CC Winn High School.
A Long Career in District Administration
The Teacher Service Record confirms that Alvarez began working for the district during the 2005–2006 school year. She started as a Clerk and remained in that role until the end of the 2011–2012 school year. She then moved into the Scholarship Clerk position, where she worked for three school years. After that, she advanced to the Scholarship Secretary position, which she continues to hold as of the 2024–2025 school year.
Her service record shows no gaps in employment. Each school year is recorded as a full year, indicating that she completed her assigned duties every year she worked for the district.
Steady Raises Documented Over Time
The service record does not list salary amounts, but it does show yearly increases in credited experience from her first year to her nineteenth year. This pattern reflects regular pay movement under district compensation schedules. Her progression from Clerk to Scholarship Clerk and finally to Scholarship Secretary also shows changes in responsibility that typically correspond with salary increases.
Requested Records Withheld by the District
Although EPISD released her job history and position classifications, the district did not release the timesheets or clock-in records that were specifically requested. These records are an important part of any personnel file because they confirm payroll accuracy, attendance patterns, and internal oversight.
Instead of releasing the records or identifying a specific exemption under the Public Information Act, EPISD submitted the matter to the Texas Attorney General. This action shifts the responsibility to the Attorney General’s office to decide whether the district must disclose the information. Until the ruling is issued, the records remain withheld.
The decision to request an Attorney General opinion often delays public access to information. For many residents, the withholding of routine timekeeping documents raises concerns about the district’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
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Oversight Under Senior Administration
Employment matters involving Alvarez fall under the supervision of district leadership, including Deputy Superintendent for Business and Finance Ismael Mijares and Superintendent Samuel Mijares. These offices are responsible for employee classification, payroll oversight, and compliance with state reporting requirements. Although Alvarez’s file does not contain disciplinary actions or complaints, the district’s decision to withhold her timekeeping documents has increased public interest in how EPISD handles information related to employee hours and compensation.
Public Interest in Transparency
Alvarez has a long and uninterrupted record of service within EPISD, and her employment history shows stability and professional growth. However, the district’s decision to withhold her timesheets and clock-in records leaves key questions unanswered regarding payroll accuracy and administrative oversight. The community now awaits the Attorney General’s ruling, which will determine whether EPISD must release the information and may influence how the district processes similar public-information requests in the future.
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