EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — As El Paso Independent School District considers a possible future bond, some parents and community advocates are urging district leaders to direct more investment toward older campuses in Central and South Central El Paso.
Members of Familias Unidas por la Educación gathered Saturday outside the former Beall Elementary School campus, calling on EPISD to prioritize schools in historic barrio neighborhoods that they say have seen years of disinvestment.
One of the group’s main requests is for the district to use future proposed bond dollars to turn the closed Beall Elementary campus into a resource center for children and families.
The discussion comes as EPISD’s Citizens Bond Committee continues reviewing possible future projects while the district also faces a $52.8 million budget s.
District leaders have said bond funding is separate from the district’s current budget situation.
EPISD Trustee Alex Cuellar, who represents Central El Paso, said the bond proposal under discussion would not raise taxes.
The concerns also come after multiple campus closures in recent years. Five elementary schools closed last year, followed by two more closures this school year.
EPISD School Board Vice President Dr. Jack Loveridge said the district must make sure students in South and Central El Paso have access to strong public education opportunities.
The Citizen’s Bond Committee is expected to finalize its recommendations on June 11. Trustees will then decide whether to place a bond proposal on the ballot in August for voters to consider in the November election.
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