EPISD dismisses rumors about Bowie and Jefferson high school consolidation
Bowie and Jefferson high school alumni were enraged at rumors the two schools were going to be combined into a single school. El Paso Independent School District Superintendent Juan Cabrera held a town hall meeting Wednesday night to calm their fears.
Cabrera firmly states there are no plans to consolidate the schools. And he apologizes for the undue stress it’s caused the Jefferson community. But what began as a simple, informational meeting to clear up the rumors, turned chaotic.
A handful of parents got out of their seats to confront Cabrera. They say they were frustrated with how it was conducted. At this town hall, and like a few before it, parents could not get up and ask a question. It is the new system the district is using. Parents and staff now have to enter their question into an iPad, where it can be screened.
A student would then read it, and the district answers it. This did not play out well. People took issue with how Cabrera is choosing to communicate with them.
But even though they were upset, Cabrera assured them, they can rest easy. Jefferson and Bowie high schools won’t be combined. Cabrera says the idea has not been studied, and before anything that big happens, the district would get community input first.
“I’ve got a lot of other issues in this district than consolidating two historical institutions. What I want to continue to make my team do is look up our potential options to save money, and better use for our facilities for taxpayers,” Cabrera said.
