EPISD identifies more than $1B in long-term needs as possible bond talks continue

EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — El Paso Independent School District is outlining what a future bond election could look like, including a possible $400 million proposal that the district says would not raise the tax rate.

EPISD Deputy Superintendent David Bates said the $400 million option would be part of a larger long-range plan developed with input from a citizens bond steering committee. The committee has been reviewing what the district may need over time, a list that totals more than $1 billion, though Bates said any potential bond would likely be much smaller.

“Throughout the course of the summer we’ll really kind of work towards asking the board in August, what do we want to do? Would we like to go for a zero tax increase bond in November? Or should we go in May?” Bates said.

The citizens bond steering committee began meeting in February. EPISD said the group includes parents, community members, and staff from across the district. Bates said the committee reviewed needs ranging from facilities to student experience to help determine what EPISD may need long-term before the district decides what could eventually go into a bond.

Jordan Salas reports on EPISD identifies more than $1B in long-term needs as possible bond talks continue (Credit: KFOX14)

“They presented all the things from the facility condition index to the student experience, transportation, food service, everything. Everything we need,” Bates said.

The committee voted on June 11 on its priorities, creating a long-range master plan with more than $1 billion in possible needs. The largest areas include districtwide renovations at about $469.4 million, athletic updates at $170.7 million, and swamp cooler systems at about $93.8 million.

View the full EPISD bond steering committee worksheet below:

Bates said the full list is intended to serve as a roadmap as the district considers a smaller bond option.

“We’ll also look at a bite size bond of $400 million zero tax increase bond. What that could look like,” Bates said.

The bond discussion comes as EPISD remains under financial exigency and has moved forward with job cuts to address its budget. Bates said the district is trying to move forward while recognizing it must earn the community’s trust.

“We’re rewriting the ship, we’re heading to financial prosperity. We’re doing all of these things. I can only say, trust me in time, right. I have to show you,” Bates said.

EPISD’s last major bond was approved by voters in 2016, when the district received a $668 million bond to modernize and right-size its campuses.

Bates said he expects to present the long-range plan to trustees on June 23. After that, trustees could decide in August whether to call a bond election for November or possibly wait until May.

Tags: