EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 As the district faces new budget uncertainty from the state, El Paso ISD leaders are preparing to consider an incentive program aimed at reducing central office staffing through early retirements or resignations.<\/p>\n
Leah Hanany, board president for the EPISD Board of Trustees, said the item is expected to come up at next week\u2019s board meeting. <\/p>\n
The proposal would offer an incentive for certain central office employees to retire early or resign, as district leaders look for ways to address budget challenges without starting with cuts that affect classrooms.<\/p>\n
RECOMMENDED: TEA conservator Michael Hinojosa announces departure from Socorro ISD<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe want to show the community that we\u2019re not looking at cuts to the classroom first,\u201d Hanany said. \u201cSo we are evaluating all levels of our organization and starting with upper administration first.\u201d<\/p>\n Hanany said the district had been \u201cpoised to pass a balanced budget,\u201d but that the state has introduced new challenges. <\/p>\n She said the state is \u201credoing their formulations for a whole harmless provision,\u201d and that there has not been \u201cany definitive number yet,\u201d but the district is preparing for potential additional challenges.<\/p>\n The agenda item is expected to include a proposed incentive amount of $3,000, though Hanany emphasized that the board discusses items posted for action and that the proposal is still subject to discussion and changes.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to try to eliminate positions wherever possible without firing any employees,\u201d Hanany said.<\/p>\n Hanany said the superintendent has already made progress eliminating 60 positions, including some at the highest levels. She said the district is \u201cnow one deputy shorter\u201d and has \u201ca chief position shorter than from when Dr. Lusk started.\u201d<\/p>\n The district does not yet have projections for how many central office positions could be freed up through the incentive program.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t have a final number again,\u201d Hanany said.<\/p>\n If no one participates, Hanany told KFOX14\/CBS4 the district will continue working to balance its budget.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are aggressively pursuing a balance budget,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n