Questions linger regarding EPISD vetting process of trustees

As we wait for the run-off election to determine new members on the El Paso Independent School District Board of Trustees the biographies of current members have been removed online.

District 2 Trustee Al Velarde said he doesn’t know why the change happened, or who made the decision.

“At this moment we are assessing the bios given the change in makeup of the board,” said EPISD spokesman Gustavo Reveles adding that the change is temporary and ultimately up to the new board.

A biography that sparked controversy was the one belonging to District 7 trustee Mickey Loweree, who has had her education and employment background called into question.

“There was no verification process going into the election,” District 7 Trustee-elect Daniel Call. “I could’ve said i was the Dalai Lama, and, you know.”

When it comes to Loweree, Valerde said she never gave him a reason to look into her background after being appointed to replace Dori Fenenbock.

He said there aren’t very many qualifications candidate need to meet.

“No. 1 they need to live within the area they’re going to represent, I believe they can’t have a felony record, but beyond that there’s not a lot of requirements,” Velarde said.

When it comes to vetting candidates Call said it may be a staffing and time issue.

“I don’t know that the district has all the resources to verify each and every claim they do during the election,” he said. “The media did a fantastic job exposing any inaccuracies or falsehoods during the election.”

ABC-7 has repeatedly reached out to Loweree and her campaign manager Carlos Sierra for information that was promised to be released after the election.

“Information was discovered it came out and in then end the voters had information they needed to make a choice about that seat,” Velarde said.

On the campaign trail, Call said many constituents relayed their mistrust of the district.

“I knocked on a door and a gentleman, a gruff older gentleman came to the door, and I gave him my intro of who I am and what my credentials are ,” Call recounted. “He asked me, he said ‘are you on the current board,’ and I said no. He slammed the door in my face and said, ‘ you got my vote.'”

More than 77 percents of votes went to call in the recent election.

He said he was shocked he won by such a big margin.

“I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work,” Call said. “The first thing that needs to happen is the public trust needs to be restored.”

Holding leaders like superintendent Juan Cabrera accountable, and cutting back on costs top Call’s priority list.

“It’s time to put the students first,” call said.