EPISD Conservator?

May 15, 2015

We received a note through Xavier Miranda.  It addresses the possibility that a conservator will be named for the El Paso Independent School District board.

The Times wrote an editorial the other day that opposed the naming of a conservator.  From the editorial:

TEA says that the appointment of a conservator — who has veto power over school board actions — was suspended, not ended, when the Board of Managers took office, So Williams could reactivate a conservator when the Board of Trustees takes office next week, even though the EPISD currently does not meet any of the legal requirements for such a sanction. The El Paso legislative delegation in February wrote Williams a letter asking that the new trustees be allowed to “fulfill their duties without constraint.”

The note from Xavier Miranda:

EPISD Conservator?

Dear Xavier,

On Monday, we will see seven very capable and talented people certified and sworn in as EPISD Trustees. Each brings unique skills and talents to what has the promise of being a great team.

However, in all probability, based on reports from multiple sources, Commissioner Williams will appoint Mr. Margo as the Conservator of the EPISD. This would give Mr. Margo or whoever absolute veto power over our elected representatives to further his agenda.

In other words, we will have one-man rule in EPISD. That, by any other name is a dictatorship. This move by Commissioner Williams will nullify two elections for all practical purposes.

This is the respect the Commissioner has for the voters of El Paso.

A Monitor that approaches the job from the perspective of a coach and mentor as the Trustees learn the mechanics of functioning as a Board might be good and warranted. However, Conservator, be it Mr. Margo, or who ever, with unlimited veto power is not what EPISD needs.

We’ve already had one Emperor, and that did not work out well. We don’t need another.

And, no, your Federation is not taking this affront to Democracy, lying down. So, join me Monday at 4:00 for a Certification of a democratic election and swearing in of our elected representatives. And, there is a real good chance we will get to see a coronation by the Commissioner as well.

I hope these reports are wrong and elected representation prevails, but… We’ve had an interesting ride here in EPISD.

In Solidarity,
Ross

1 Comment | El Paso Independent School District, State Government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

Suggestions for the new EPISD board

May 13, 2015

Now that we have an elected El Paso Independent School District board, allow me to offer a few suggestions.

Stop the new central office

The city wants EPISD to move away from the land they have been leasing to the district.  I hope that the new board works to convince the city to let the district stay.  The estimates that have been shared with us are that the move will cost forty to fifty million dollars.

The school district pays for the land.  Many of us guess that the city wants to use the land to build another airport hotel.  If things proceed as they have been this hotel will receive tax subsidies from the city.  How can the taxpayers benefit from a situation like this when the move will put us forty to fifty million dollars in the hole before they even break ground on a new hotel and the city already has a paying customer.

Stop the one million dollar architectural contract the district has signed to design the new central office.  If it turns out that the city will not budge, then the district should find an unused building and move there.  There is talk of closing some schools because of declining enrollment.  Make do with one of those buildings.

Pay as you go

The district has it’s hands tied here in many ways.  State laws control much of the ways schools are financed.  The board should do what it can to avoid assuming debt.  Some of us might understand taking on debt if the district was growing and more capacity was needed.  In our case district enrollment is declining and there is talk of floating bonds to build more buildings.

If some new debt is unavoidable, seek approval from the voters in smaller amounts.  Come to us with plans to solve some of the district’s problems over the next three or four years.  Prove to us that the board and district staff can use our money wisely and for the things that we approved, then if necessary ask for more money to handle the following three or four years.  Don’t come to us with a $600 million bond issue all at once.  The voters in the Ysleta district just turned down a $451 million bond issue and Ysleta has not been involved in the scandals that your prior boards have.

Get rid of the incompetents

I know and have dealt with many central office employees who are competent and hard working.  There are some really fine people there.  We also have some that are not competent and should be terminated.  It actually would not be difficult to find out which is which.  The teachers know who these people are.

Teachers are a different matter because of their contracts.  Once a teacher has been with the district for a while it is far more difficult to get rid of an underperforming one.  The contracts need to be changed.

Physical education

The district must follow state rules relating to  academic testing.  Many of us feel that the issue is handled poorly and that the district and the teachers should be allowed more flexibility.

Physical education is another matter.  While there are good coaches and schools with good programs just asking the students would tell us where we are not getting the job done.

Change your attitude

The prior school boards and the board of managers have done damage to the district’s relationship with it’s citizens.  Eliminate the parliamentary tricks that are being used to restrict public input.  Stop scheduling meetings when you know the public and district employees will not be able to attend.

Start listening to your citizens.

I feel certain that our readers will come forward with their thoughts.

We deserve better

Brutus

 

5 Comments | El Paso Independent School District, State Government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

Election results

May 10, 2015

The election results are in.

In the city elections the incumbents seem to have done a better job raising money than getting votes.  The incumbents won but not in proportion to their war chests.

The firefighter’s won all three of their issues.

At the Ysleta school district the school board lost their bond election.  One incumbent was voted out and one narrowly won.

The question now is will these elected officials start paying more attention to the voters or will they continue on their present course?

We deserve better

Brutus

14 Comments | City government, El Paso Independent School District | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

On their way out the door

May 7, 2015

I don’t know what the right balance is with the teacher contracts but I do know that I don’t want this non-elected board to make decisions that should be left to an elected board.

This from Xavier Miranda:

Morning All,

I am forwarding you excerpted information pertaining to potential changes to our Continuing Contracts by the Board of Managers. Please take note of this as it affects all employees.

Regards,

Xavier Miranda
DEIC Representative
Social Studies Department
Coronado High School

“It is Teacher Appreciation Week.  At what is hopefully the Board of
Manager’s last meeting on Thursday, May 7th, you will get to see how much
the Managers and Administration appreciate you.

The Budget and Compensation Package is being left to the elected Board of Trustees, though
the Managers and Administration have finalized that together.  You will
remain the lowest paid of major districts in El Paso County and far below
the average for the Eight Major Urban Districts in Texas.

The Board of Managers is slated to show their appreciation for you by
voting to radically change the Reduction In Force (RIF) policy for those of
you on Continuing Contracts.  They plan to vote delete the current
DFCA(LOCAL) which contains well founded limits on when a RIF can occur,
under what circumstances, as well as provides real due process and real
opportunities at other positions AND meets the Texas Education Code
21.157.  Current DFCA(LOCAL) limits the causes of RIF to “financial
exigency” or “program change”.

The Board of Managers and Administration will show their appreciation of
you by approving a new and dangerously anti-teacher DFFC(LOCAL).

*Short version:  Those of you on a Continuing Contract will have little
more job security than a Walmart greeter.*

Long version.  The changes include:

1.  The reasons for a RIF are changed to “financial exigency” AND when the
Superintendent “*Determines another need to reduce personnel on Continuing
Contracts.”  *In other words, if he feels like it.

2.  It is worded in such a manner as to allow him to target specific
teachers on specific campuses who have annoyed him or his leadership team.
And remember, one of his Executive Cabinet reportedly said in a meeting,
“If you rock the boat, I’ll throw you overboard.”

3.  Under the new policy, you can be “dismissed” at any time in the year,
not just at year end.

*4.  The net effect is to nullify your Continuing Contract and leave you,
for all practical purposes an “at will employee”.*

Mr. Margo tried to impose this change last year, but the item was
withdrawn.  Over his tenure as a Manager and before in the Legislature in
2011, he has shown disdain and contempt at best towards public school
teachers.  He has twice stated publicly that he wants to “get rid of
teachers who just occupy a chair”.

So, join me Thursday evening at 5:00 watch Administration and Managers show
their appreciation of teachers by further Walmartizing the EPISD.”

p.s.  If you check their Agenda, Teacher Appreciation Week is not on it.
That alone speaks volumes.
——————————

—-
El Paso ISD Non-discrimination disclaimer
http://www.episd.org/employment/disclaimer/20140602.php
“I am EPISD, Excellence Starts With Me”

9 Comments | El Paso Independent School District | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

Inaccessible officials

May 3, 2015

I’m troubled by what we are hearing and reading about our public officials declining to meet with citizens.

Yes we understand that the officials have work to do and that some members of the public can take up more time than is needed.

What we are seeing now is that some of our officials are refusing to answer correspondence and are delegating subordinates to meet with concerned citizens.

In times past some of our local officials would set aside  a specific day of the week at a specific time where they would meet with members of the public that had concerns.

That is not too much to ask of the current group.

We deserve better

Brutus

14 Comments | City government, County Government, El Paso Independent School District | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

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