Some voters still undecided on EPISD $669 million bond
In eight weeks, El Paso voters will head to the polls and make a decision on EPISD’s $669 dollar bond.
The district is holding two to three informational meetings a day to educate voters on the issue.
One was just held at Burges High School. If the bond passes, the school will see a $56 million renovation.
EPISD parent Patricia Licerio was at the meeting and said she is undecided.
“I can see the pros and the cons. One doesn’t outweigh the other. I need to be persuaded that this is going to be for my children. My child is a junior and the other one is a freshman. And I am thinking by the time this all happens, my children are going to be out of school anyway,” said.
The district is feverishly working to educate the public about the $669 million bond on the November ballot.
Burges High School was built back in 1955 and is one of the schools slated for renovation.
Islea Holguin’s daughter is a sophomore at the school. She would like to see the bond pass, and her daughter’s school improved.
“The restrooms, just the restroom facilities are really in a bad condition. I am sure they are asbestos filled, it’s an old school. But there is a whole lot of pride here.” Holguin said.
EPISD spokesperon Melissa Martinez said the district has some 60 meetings planned between now and the November election.
“There is about two to three meetings scheduled per day from here to there. We also have information on the website, daily social media posts and have videos online,” Martinez said.
District officials believe once voters understand the need and how the money will be spent, they will say yes to the biggest bond in El Paso’s history.
“Our children here are not up to date on a lot of things like other schools are, I need to hear how it’s going to help us,” said Licerio.
The owner of an average $138,000 home in the district is already paying about $1,395 a year in school district taxes.
If this bond is eventually approved by voters in November, the average district homeowner could pay an additional $212, bringing the school district’s portion of the property tax bill to about $1,600.
Some of the projects include:
Burges High School will be rebuilt at a cost of $56,783,048.
Jefferson/Silva High School will undergo $39,631,708 in renovations.
Coronado High School will be rebuilt at a cost of $73,885,792.
Lincoln K-8 will consolidate with Bond and Roberts elementary schools.
Henderson K-8 will consolidate with Bonham Elementary School.
The El Paso Independent School District is trying to streamline and modernize the district. The approved projects also include laptops for students and teachers, totaling $6,565,000.
