Task force meant to bring transparency to EPISD meets behind closed doors
A committee meant to improve the governance of the El Paso Independent School District held its first meetingWednesday behind closed doors.
The EPISD Task Force is expected to help bring transparency to the embattled district.
An ABC-7 crew went to the meeting at the El Paso Chamber of Commerce, but was told to wait in the lobby.
The meeting was not open to the public.
That leads to question why the task force would meet in private and not allow the concerned public listen to what was discussed.
Jimmy Vasquez,executive director of the Region 19 Education Service Center, isheading the task force.
He said the newly formed committee has not been finalized.
In the meantime they will continue to meet behind closed doors.
“It’s not that they have anything to hide. These are important people … their companies might not like them making statements that could be viewed as controversial. So the consensus of the the group is that they want to meet that way,” said Vasquez.
Vasquez said he will serve as the spokesman for the group.
The confirmed group includes several area businessmen:Richard Castro, owner of Castro Enterprises; Dan Olivas, owner of a real estate company; Mike Wendt of Laser Tech Inc.; Richard Dayoub,President and CEO of the El Paso Chamber of Commerce; Terry McGreehan, vice president and general manager at ADP.
Also on the board, Col. Brant Dayley, Fort Bliss Garrison Commander.
Frances Wever, a member of the political action committee Reform EPISD doesn’t think business leaders belong on the task force.
“I don’t want them to take any of the heat off the (EPISD Board of Trustees) board. I want it back on the board, and if the board needs help from businessmen, why are they on the board,” questioned Wever.
Vasquez said the members already chosen will bring the best practices that they follow in their perspective organizations, and offer recommendations to the EPISD School Board.
The task force is not complete just yet.
Vasquez said not everyone invited to be part of the board attended Wednesday’s meeting.
The decision to have private meetings could change if additional people join the task force.
