The El Paso Independent School District superintendent wrote a guest column for the El Paso Times that was published last Sunday.
Enrollment is declining at the district and thus state and federal funding is being reduced.
He mentioned teacher cuts and other changes that are being considered. He asked for community input and pledged to “continue to learn and listen”.
Suggestions
There are a myriad of reasons why many things at the district seem to be inefficient from a cost perspective. Rather than talk about the bloat that is caused by mandates (or the way the district chooses to interpret them), let me offer some suggestions that are within our control.
- Don’t spend the $57 million from the 2007 bond issue just because you have the money. The voters approved that money for a new high school. As it turns out we don’t need one. Save the money and the interest.
- Don’t build a new central administration facility. EPISD staff estimates currently indicate that this will be a $40 million project. Work with the city to stay where you are. Let the voters know if city council forces this spending on us.
- Quit spending money to have unique designs for each school.
- Maintain your buildings so that they last. Quit neglecting maintenance until it costs less to replace a school than fix it.
We deserve better
Brutus
elpasospeak 
All great ideas, but you know what’s wrong with them? They’re too logical, and you know that Board doesn’t do logic.
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I agree, but what can you expect. Susie Byrd’s actions and attitude clearly indicate a total disregard for the betterment of our community. As a city representative she refused to correct a discrepancy regarding EPISD speed limit signs by stating that it was outside her jurisdiction. She is now a member of the Board and these issues are still being ignored. Just compare the perimeter surrounding EPISD schools to Loretto Academy. Hillside Elementary School on Clifton Avenue has a sign inside their playground covered with a wrought iron fence which reads “CAUTION DEAF CHILDREN ON CAMPUS”. Loretto Academy has protected their students with speed limit signs and white lines painted on the streets surrounding the school. All main entrances are protected. Whereas, Hillside Elementary School front entrance is not protected. The only speed limit sign going west on Clifton Street is partly covered by a steel post. The white lines at the intersection of Montana and Radford have faded over the years and the only speed limit sign at this intersection is sometimes partly covered by high profile vehicles. Many people have taken pictures and videos pointing out these discrepancies before Judge Aponte, however, she has refused to look at them. Taxpayers pay their property taxes on time. I ask EPISD police department not to penalize taxpayers for EPISD lack of responsibility.
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Advice for Juan Cabrera on fixing up his office
1. Apply luminol liberally to all areas and surfaces
2. Remove all bodily fluids found on areas and surfaces after taking DNA samples.
3. Check the EPISD DNA database to find out which female administrators earned their job the old fashioned way.
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This comment should be removed.
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Brutus, thanks for raising interest in our school district.
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Never hire a mechanic to do brain surgery. That is what EPISD has done. Hired a lawyer to be an educator.
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This school system has taken a beating that would rival the wounds of a Boxing Match. There’s no space for anymore bruises, swellings or even a black eye, unless they start hitting below the belt. And despite repeated warnings, they do that as well.
This is no way to encourage any family to relocate to El Paso.
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