Yikes!
Even our state legislative delegation is upset over the rush job EPISD is trying to pull relative to the school closings.
How do we know that the schools that they have chosen are the right ones?
Part of what the legislators wrote to the school board is printed below.
They are not only concerned with the lack of time for public input but they point out that the district’s published budget numbers don’t make sense.
When one group of politicians gets on the wrong side of another group there is always a price to pay.
We deserve better
Brutus
elpasospeak 
Signed: Susie Byrd.
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HOW CAN WE SAVE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS FROM CLOSURE
1. PAY OFF ANY SHORTAGE IN THE BUDGET WITH THE FUND BALANCE. IT HAS OVER 85 MILLION DOLLARS, SCHOOLS TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER FEEL GOOD PIGGY BANKS.
2. FREEZE ALL HIRING OF ANY PERSONNEL THAT DO NOT DIRECTLY SERVICE OUR STUDENTS.
3. KILL ALL NEW PURCHASES AND DO NOT RENEW ANY CONTRACTS THAT DO NOT DIRECTLY AFFECT THE STUDENTS SAFETY, EDUCATION IN THE CLASSROOM OR THEIR BUILDINGS.
4. LIMIT ALL ADMINISTRATIVE TRAVEL TO NECESSARY FOR DISTRICT FUNCTIONS.
5. NO MORE MONEY SPENT ON DOWNTOWN OFFICE BUILDING UNTIL THE FUND BALANCE IS BUILT BACK UP TO EXPECTED LEVEL.
6. TAKE AWAY THE $10,000,000 BLANK CHECK THE BOARD GAVE THE SUPERINTENDENT TO SPEND AS HE SEES FIT ON BOND ISSUE PROBLEMS.
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That would reflect a level of fiscal responsibility unheard of in El Paso’s public sector institutions. Good plan, though.
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I don’t think anyone is more confused over the Board numbers than the taxpayers. I believe the extra money is going to yet another program called Ellevation? It just doesn’t make sense .
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Don’t forget about the Superintendents new favorite Dual Language. He is giving speeches for it and also negotiating with them for the EPISD, a clear conflict of interest.
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Isn’t Dual Language the same thing as speaking out of both sides of your mouth?
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Does anything around here ever make sense?
When one group of politicians gets on the wrong side of another group, there might be a price to pay, but the taxpayers always get the bill.
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Well said. Reyes’ wing of the Dem party was cheaper than Shapleigh’s. Margo is proving the GOP is no longer the voice of fiscal sanity.
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I pulled up the full letter and found one glaring error that was repeated multiple times. It includes “Honorable” before the names of each of the board members and the superintendent. After a lengthy criticism of the board’s closure plans, it thanks them for their service.
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That statement from the local delegation is a joke. Allowing “ample time to contemplate” closing schools is another way to say “go further in debt.” Close the schools. Everyone knows which ones need to be closed. Stop the bleeding. Quit arguing about Cabrera and get the job done.
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Who is “everyone”? Sorry, while I get your point about the delegation’s posturing, I don’t trust the judgment of this board and administration. They are the same people who connived and misled the public to sell the bond. The terms of Cabrera’s contract and his unchecked shady dealings with consultants are also reasons not to trust this group.
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The schools are not bleeding from being kept open. But regardless if there are 250 kids in a neighborhood and there is a school there that is safe to attend then it should remain open. The children come first period. The business model in education sucks.
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