EPISD promises to compensate teachers with savings from bond

The EPISD School Board of Trustees approved and signed a resolution Wednesday ensuring the community that the projects outlined in the bond proposal will be supported and followed through in the next three to five years.

The $669 million bond will create also about $9 million in savings, which will be used to help the district better compensate its teachers, Board President Dori Fenenbock said.

“The commitment is we recognize there is a gap between what we are paying and what the surrounding districts are paying. And we are going to use those savings to make up the difference,” she said.

The trustees have said they understand that there is little trust within the community, but if the conversation is just about a tax increase, then the bond has no chance of passing. That is why they took an extra step in passing a resolution detailing an exact plan that will help move the idea forward.

“This is about an investment in our children, an investment in our children’s education, an investment in the long term ability and prosperity of our community. That’s what we have to focus on,” Fenenbock said.

Also today, the board received a bond endorsement from state Sen. Jose Rodriguez (D-El Paso) and other members of the local legislative delegation. District officials will continue to seek support from the community for the bond ahead of the Nov. 8 election.

At least one grass roots organization is campaigning against the $669 million bond. The Taxpayers, Veterans and Friends of Education Coalition cites several reasons with it’s against the bond, including environmental concerns and concerns with how the money will be spent. Some organizers argue that none of the money is benefiting schools in the South El Paso.