ABC-7 Xtra: EPSIS Bond Proposal

for the next half hour… we’re talking about the nearly 669- million dollar bond proposed by the el paso independent school district. the proposal was approved this week by the board of trustees–many said the bond is greatly need and the time is now, adding the district has been kicking the can down the road for too long. the bond includes rennovations, closing and consolidating schools, improving athletic facilities, technology,security and transportation. but–it’s the biggest in el paso history. and if approved, it could be adding more than $200 in property taxes for the average homeowner. you can e-mail us your comments and questions now to abc-seven xtra at kvia-dot-com. you can also reach us at 915-496-1775. on twitter, use the hashtag abc-7 xtra. e-p-i-s-d’s board of trustees unanimously approved the largest bond in the city’s history. that 669 million dollar bond will be on the ballot – this november.. and it’s up to you the taxpayer on whether or not it passes: “natural sound” several attendance began clapping after the vote came down! but it doesn’t stop here.. the taxpayer get’s the final say this november! since we are less than 3 months away from voting on this bond. several taxpayers spoke during open forum before the vote- sharing concerns they had for this massive bond. one acknowleding that the school district needs the funds – but this isn’t the right way to go about it… another questioning the timing – and recommending the district ops for a smaller amount. others strongly supporting the bond – which could increase your taxes! “im in favor of it because i am a firm believe that our children are they will be taking care of us – and that it is our responsibility to make sure they have the tools so they can take really good care of us. this bond is 200 million dollars bigger than the one that was rejected for yisd back in may…. if you rember – yisd was forced to go back to the drawing board after their after their 451 million dollar bond did not pass. the district then came back after cutting 20 million dollars off the original amount…. which then passed in the november elections.. “we followed the one they use during their successful campaign and you have to listen to your community – this wasn’t a bond proposal we put together – this is a bond proposal the community is asking us for.” the board had a week to look at the proposal before approving it. during a news conference wednesday, trustee dori fennenbock said there were 80 people that prepared the proposal and it would have been very difficult to add or take away from it. if the bond fails–what’s next? will they come back to the drawing board with a smaller bond? trustees wouldn’t really say whether or not the district has a back up plan, saying this amount is what’s needed: 6:30-6:56 cg: dori fennenbock, trustee “the bond is an important investment for our community right now the citizens committee worked off the jacobs engineering board and two other nationally recognized engineering firms that identified $1.2 million worth of needed projects today. they were able to create a bond of approximately half that size and these are investments that we need to make today.” the district has less than 3 months to convince voters to vote yes to the nearly 669 milli nearly 669 million dollar bond. and they are wasting no time in doing that. episd is taking it message straight to the people– meeting them face to face and answering questions. community meeting at the west regional command center was the first — following the trustees decision to take the bond to the voters. abc-7’s stephanie guadian has the story: episd 4… 2:20 will the money go to what it is programmed for? ross moore– came to the community meeting— determined to ask episd officals that question and others. he’s the president the el paso american federation of teachers. he was pleased with the answer… 2:32 they will build a direct linkage, so if you vote for the bond, you are getting exactly what you voted for and not a bait and switch game at a later date. 2:41 this is what district officals hope to do over the next few months… answer questions. that want voters to know… 9: that want voters to know… 9:25 we are in an era of deling enrollment, we have half empty school buildings and we need to invest in modern learning environment and that this is part of consolition process that will help us operate more efficiently and put more resources into the classroom. 9:37 but moore says he and his federation of teachers are not ready to back the 668 miilion dollar bond. he wants to make sure facilities that would be closed are used for public purposes and– :52 not handed over to a charter chain which is basically going to take even more kids out of episd and thus increase their financial issues and decrease the quality of education in the district. 1:04 episd superintendent juan cabrera was at the community meeting— and is preparing for a very busy three months ahead. 11:02 we plan to hit as many as we can. any community meeting that we can get in front of in the dist of in the district. so i would expect 3 to 5 days a week we will be out there talking to folks all the time, all across the school district. 1:13 episd has a good case.. they now need to make it… 1:15 part of the plan also includes consolidating schools. here’s a look. -bradley consolidating fannin elementary school -henderson k-8 consolidating clardy elementary school -lincoln k-8 consolidating bond & roberts elementary schools -macarthur k-8 consolidating k-8 consolidating bonham elementary school -morehead k-8 consolidating johnson elementary school -terrace hills k-8 consolidating collins elementary school -dowell elementary school consolidating schuster & crosby elementary schools -morehead k-8 consolidating johnson elementary school -terrace hills k-8 consolidating collins elementary school -dowell elementary school consolidating schuster & schuster & crosby elementary schools “many people in the community don’t understand that we have decling enrollment. we’re consolidating collins elementary school -dowell elementary school consolidating schuster & crosby elementary schools “many people in the community don’t understand that we have decling enrollment. we’re reminder, we are live and you can join this discussion by calling 915-497-1771 or e-mailing us at abc-seven xtra at kvia-dot-com. you can also tweet me at josie ortegon. let’s talk numbers. if the voters approve the proposal, the property tax rate would increase to 18 point 8 cents to $1.42 per $100 property valuation. that translatest o a $12- month increase in school taxes. homeowners with a $138,000 home would pay $213 annually. perspective–larger than the city of el paso’s $473 million quality of life initiative approved in 2012. bigger than yisd bond approved after a failed effort last year. during a news conference this week, dori you were asked about why the board did not make any adjustments to it. we’ll play a little bit of your response: “all the trustees and i the administration we’re very sensitive about the tax impact on the community. there are many demands on our citizens and on our taxes. we feel that the time is righ right to invest in our community and our children.” still ahead… also – we’ll take your comments and questions on today’s topic. you can call 915-496-1771. don’t forget, you can also can also reach us online at abc-seven extra at kvia-dot-com. welcome back, you’re watching abc-7 this year’s episd bond proposal, there were dozens that were rejected. including some security aspects, athletics and fine arts projects and there were dozens that were rejected. including some security aspects, athletics and fine arts projects and rennovations and additions to several schools… inlcuding the following: lamar es, hillside es, millam es, putnam es, rusk es, coldwell es, whitake es, newman es, charles, s, armendariz ms, and x-tra! / notes: —- — thank your for joining us. i’m josie ortegon, and this has been abc-seven x-tra! /