EPISD is working to tackle declining enrollment, funds

Declining enrollment and a decline in funding are two major topics the El Paso Independent School District is working to tackle for the upcoming school year budget.

Financial projections presented at the school board meeting Wednesday show the district would not be out of a deficit until 2022.

The current financial forecast shows the district is in the red Nearly $6.5 million.

Theses projections do not include any salary raises for teachers.

Board President Trent Hatch said normally raises range between 2 and 5 percent.

“That equates to $7 million,” Hatch said at the meeting.” If my math serves me right, next year, with declining enrollment, and with giving teachers raises, we’ll be in the hole approximately $13 million.”

District spokeswoman Melissa Martinez compared the budgets process, and employee compensation to our personal bills.

“First you take care of your mortgage, your car payment, those needs and then if you have something left over then you tack on your wants.” said Martinez. “Certainly employee compensation is a priority of the administration and of the board.”

Bus hub consolidation and school closures were listed as possible cost-saving measures, as were budget decreases to administrative district offices.