EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — El Paso ISD leaders said the Texas Comptroller’s Office praised the district’s recent financial and operational progress during a four-day review, while warning that additional staffing adjustments may be needed as student enrollment declines.
The review began Monday and wrapped up Thursday after interviews with district employees and campus visits, Superintendent Dr. Lusk said.
The comptroller’s team told district leaders EPISD had made “significant progress” in aligning staffing with enrollment and improving its budget and finances, he said.
The district has eliminated more than 1,100 positions since January.
Comptroller’s Office representatives said further adjustments could be necessary as enrollment trends continue, Lusk said.
The district expects the comptroller’s written report to be completed around Thanksgiving and released by the end of December.
WATCH FULL PRESS CONFERENCE:
EPISD press conference regarding Texas Comptroller visit
RECOMMENDED: Texas Comptroller’s EPISD review seeks budgets, payroll; plus curriculum policies
Lusk said he was told the report would draw substantially on the district’s financial position and data from prior school years, so some recent improvements may not be reflected.
Board President Leah Hanany said the review recognized progress toward financial sustainability and the administration’s cooperation.
She also said the district still has work to do to meet students’ academic needs.
During the review, the comptroller’s office requested a range of records, including information related to students.
District leaders said EPISD provided aggregate information and did not release personally identifiable student records.
Hanany said state-issued alternate identification numbers do not indicate whether a student has a Social Security number or reveal citizenship status.
Asked why EPISD was selected for the review, leaders said they had not received an explanation.
Hanany said she believed the district’s public discussions about administrative staffing may have drawn attention, but said the board would remain focused on students.
District leaders said EPISD is working toward its first balanced budget in five years and plans to hold community conversations next month.
The board and administration said they would use the comptroller’s recommendations to guide further improvements.
Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox.