EL PASO, Texas – (KFOX14/CBS4) — State auditors are on site at the El Paso Independent School District as the Texas Comptroller’s Office reviews the district’s spending, a process that has prompted concerns from state Rep. Vince Perez about why EPISD was selected and what student records are being requested.
Perez, who represents District 77, is hosting a news conference later today with community groups to discuss the inspection and what he wants the state to explain.
He said he is not asking for the review to be stopped, but wants answers about the selection of EPISD and the request for records involving students without Social Security numbers.
“There are about 80 school districts in Texas that actually spend more on administrative costs than EPISD. But none of them are being investigated,” Perez said.
He added, “That’s really where I have problems is that when the governor starts to target our community or to bring negativity or try to portray that there’s some wrongdoing, that’s where I take issue.”
Earlier this month, EPISD and three other Texas districts were reported to be under review by Texas Comptroller Don Huffines, with the office examining how taxpayer dollars are being spent.
RELATED: Texas comptroller selects El Paso ISD for performance review
Perez pointed to state benchmarks and district spending figures as part of his concern.
He said numbers show EPISD spends 4.2 percent of its budget on administration, below the 4.5 percent benchmark set by the Texas Education Agency.
Perez has questioned why EPISD was singled out, noting Gov. Greg Abbott made a campaign stop in El Paso in August.
Perez also said he has sought clarification from the state about the request for records tied to students without Social Security numbers.
He said he sent a letter earlier this month to the governor and the comptroller’s office seeking answers but has not received a response.
“What makes El Paso so unique? What makes EPISD so unique? That is basically, in a nutshell, what I would like to know,” Perez said.
Results of the comptroller’s review are expected by Dec. 31.
RELATED: State Rep. calls governor’s El Paso ISD finance investigation politically motivated
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