This was sent to us today. If the district would like to respond through this blog we will print what they send us. Once again our purpose here is to facilitate informed discussion.
| Concerns with EPISD Board of Managers |
| Dear xmiranda5@gmail.com,
I attended the EPISD Board of Managers meeting this past Wednesday to voice opposition to the proposed closure of schools in predominantly economically-disadvantaged and minority neighborhoods; what resulted was a two hour wait to speak, given that Public Forum had been moved to the end of meetings.
While waiting for Public Forum, HUB International District Benefit Consultant, Randy McGraw provided a lengthy presentation and recommendation to have our district secede from the current Texas State Retirement (TRS) health care program, to a self-funded program via the private sector.
Concerns regarding potential cronyism and nepotism are as follows:
In order to ensure no libel and slanderous statements are made, requests have been made of Texas State Senator Jose Rodriguez and State Representative Joe Moody to look into possible improprieties regarding the potential litigious transition. Both have agreed to look into this matter. EPISD’s attorney, Cezi Collins was requested at Public Forum to also issue a statement regarding this process.
Additionally, given how this Board of Managers hand-picks firms that will provide their desired outcomes, the $1.3 million study by the Jacobs Engineering firm is in serious question.Therefore, it is asked of our elected officials to demand that any organic changes to our district by this Board of Managers be halted, and leave further actions to a duly-elected Board of Trustees.
Below are blocks that include pertinent information provided by community members regarding the closures, insurance plans, and bond proposals. Additionally, here are links to local political blogs, that address EPISD developments:
Previous grassroots emails have addressed how this Board of Managers unilaterally re-allocated bond money originally slated to build school facilities in the Northeast, and subsequently built a football stadium at Franklin High School. All the while, there has been an increase of teacher-student ratios, principal vacancies at at least a half-dozen schools, and low employee morale.
As confirmed by Steering Committee Chair Dori Fenenbock at a recent community meeting held at Mujer Obrera a few weeks ago, the Board of Managers and Steering Committee have not toured the schools facing proposed closures, yet we extend an invitation to administrators and board managers to establish an authentic dialogue with students, parents, faculty, and staff.
Our children deserve an education system that promotes democracy, not exploitation. On that note, it is appreciated if our children were not used on PR campaigns such as this one to aggrandize district officials or Board Managers. If you recall, former Superintendent Lorenzo Garcia use similar tactics to further his corrupt agenda.
Regards,
Xavier Miranda
El Paso Grassroots
|
elpasospeak 
Does anyone think that the incoming elected board will be any better? Here’s a link to an article two years ago discussing the disagreements among them.
http://www.elpasotimes.com/latestnews/ci_24332122/episd-trustees-ask-board-managers-again-inclusion-district
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Forget Rodriguez Send it to the Texas Attorney General here in El Paso art Jim Darose and to the Texas attorney General Ken Paxton address is listed on Texas gov J Darose office on Mesa hills south I believe
Sent from my iPhone
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I agree, forget Mr. Rodriguez. He is just a politician who is not interested in the betterment of our community. He just likes to look good in public but does not care to resolve any issues regarding taxpayers.
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The previous elected board enabled this mess to happen, so Helen is correct to point out that we should not be looking to the next board for salvation. El Paso cannot seem to rise above crony politics, whether boards are elected or appointed. No matter which one, they will direct spending in a manner that benefits their benefactors that are never their constuencies.
Franklin HS is a good example when the BoM opened enrollment to allow students that would otherwise be directed to the Canutillo district, thus enhancing the marketability of homes in Hunt’s development along Transmountain.
Really, almost any political decision here that involves big spending and/or that affects land values can be traced back to a favor to one of our local power brokers. This would work if the public interest were always aligned with the private. But mostly it has been about spending and debt that continues El Paso’s historic transfer of public wealth into private pockets.
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