It doesn’t look like things are getting better at EPISD, at least from a financial perspective.
For 15 years the district achieved the highest rating and now they have fallen into the lower half of the above standard rating.
We deserve better
Brutus
EPISD–financial rating
October 24, 2018
6 Comments | 
El Paso Independent School District, State Government | 
Permalink
Posted by Brutus
EPISD debt service
October 23, 2018This is the ballot language relating to the EPISD issue:
“APPROVING THE AD VALOREM TAX RATE OF $1.41 PER $100 VALUATION IN THE EL PASO ISD FOR THE CURRENT YEAR, A RATE
THAT IS $0.0647 HIGHER PER $100 VALUATION THAN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ROLLBACK TAX RATE, FOR THE PURPOSE OF
GENERATING ADDITIONAL STATE FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE DISTRICT’S COMPENSATION PLAN AS ADOPTED ANNUALLY
INCLUDING THE ONE-TIME EMPLOYEE STIPEND IN 2018-2019, TO EXPAND ACADEMIC PROGRAMMING, AND TO SUPPLEMENT
FUND BALANCE. IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE CURRENT TAX RATE, IF VOTERS APPROVE THE $1.41 TAX RATE, THE BOARD OF
TRUSTEES WILL REDUCE THE INTEREST AND SINKING RATE BY $.10, TO REDUCE THE TOTAL TAX RATE TO $1.31, WHICH IS
EQUAL TO THE TAX RATE FROM 2017-2018.”
The problem
Their 2018-19 Official Budget report shows:
Their existing interest and sinking rate (before the election) is $.24. From that they estimate raising $37,913,980. If they lower the rate by ten cents they will raise about $22.1 million.
That leaves them with just enough money to pay the interest on the bonds but none of the principal.
Also according to state law they can raise the interest and sinking fund rate next year without fear of triggering a roll back election.
We deserve better
Brutus
10 Comments | El Paso Independent School District, State Government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus
How big should our schools be?
October 12, 2018The question of closing some of our underutilized schools has been discussed recently among the commentators.
That raises the question, how many students should the schools be built to accommodate?
We evidently currently have schools that are operating with far fewer students than the schools were designed to handle and as a result are being considered for closure.
Let’s limit the question to our elementary schools for purposes of discussion of this post.
Should the schools be designed to limit the need for buses to carry the children who live more than two miles away from the school to it?
Or should the elementary schools be large and thus potentially enjoy the economic advantages of scale?
Texas does not require our school districts to provide transportation to and from school. They will however provide financial assistance to school districts that provide transportation as long as the students live two or more miles from the school.
We deserve better
Brutus
23 Comments | El Paso Independent School District, State Government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus
Its over
October 10, 2018We recently endured a contentious process that culminated in the confirmation of a new supreme court justice.
Will we see as a result a more energized electorate in the November election?
Will the tactics used by each side backfire and cause their opponents to galvanize?
I can point to one thing for certain–every vote counts.
We deserve better
Brutus
12 Comments | City government, County Government, Federal Government, State Government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus
Consolidating the school districts
October 5, 2018City council met in special session Monday, October 1, 2018.
The agenda indicates that they plan to discuss and take action on council’s legislative agenda with the state.
One of the items to be considered is:
That ought to ruffle some feathers at the school districts.
We deserve better
Brutus
16 Comments | City government, El Paso Independent School District, State Government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus
elpasospeak 
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