City Officials Propose Taking Over School Districts

The city of El Paso is exploring the possibility of taking over the management of school districts in the wake of major issues at El Paso Independent School District.

City Rep. Ann Morgan Lilly has asked for a legal opinion on the issue. City Manager Joyce Wilson addressed the possibility of taking over the school districts during today’s City Council meeting.

“I don’t think it’s statutorily allowed for a jurisdiction to absorb a school district,” Wilson said.

The move would likely require changes in state law.

City Rep. Cortney Niland expressed her displeasure with EPISD during today’s meeting, concerning the recent guilty plea of former Superintendent Lorenzo Garcia, who admitted steering a contract to a former mistress and cheating to increase state and federal accountability scores.

“My concern is the school district is spending $400 million a year encouraging kids to drop out,” Niland said.

City Rep. Steve Ortega likes the idea of a takeover.

“I think at this point, everything should be on the table,” Ortega said.