EL PASO, Texas – (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 State auditors are on site at the El Paso Independent School District as the Texas Comptroller\u2019s Office reviews the district\u2019s spending, a process that has prompted concerns from state Rep. Vince Perez about why EPISD was selected and what student records are being requested.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are about 80 school districts in Texas that actually spend more on administrative costs than EPISD. But none of them are being investigated,\u201d Perez said. <\/p>\n
He added, \u201cThat\u2019s 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\u2019s some wrongdoing, that\u2019s where I take issue.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
RELATED: Texas comptroller selects El Paso ISD for performance review<\/a><\/p>\n Perez pointed to state benchmarks and district spending figures as part of his concern. <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n Perez has questioned why EPISD was singled out, noting Gov. Greg Abbott made a campaign stop in El Paso in August.<\/p>\n Perez also said he has sought clarification from the state about the request for records tied to students without Social Security numbers. <\/p>\n He said he sent a letter earlier this month to the governor and the comptroller\u2019s office seeking answers but has not received a response.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat makes El Paso so unique? What makes EPISD so unique? That is basically, in a nutshell, what I would like to know,\u201d Perez said.<\/p>\n Results of the comptroller\u2019s review are expected by Dec. 31.<\/p>\n RELATED: State Rep. calls governor\u2019s El Paso ISD finance investigation politically motivated<\/a><\/p>\n