EPISD board approves classroom additions at two schools
El Paso Independent School District board members voted Tuesday night to approve the design phase of 20 additional classrooms at Bonham and Hughey Elementary Schools.
The rapid addition of soldiers at Fort Bliss means about 1,600 more children at EPISD schools in the next two years, officials said.
District Chief Financial Officer Kenneth Parker said the district would be able to use some of the $12.5 million of contingency funds remaining from a 2007 bond to pay for the project. The money was set aside for unexpected expenses and saved from construction projects coming in under value.
He said the board on Tuesday only approved the estimated $640,000 needed for designing both additions. He said the board would vote in February to fund the $9 million construction costs for of both schools.
EPISD Superintendent Lorenzo Garcia said the expansion of two schools would not interfere with the district’s general fund budget, even with the district’s tight budget and eminent layoffs.
“This was a huge curve ball,” Garcia said. “I think everybody knows that Fort Bliss is growing. The great thing is we are able to meet their needs.”
David Dodge, the school board’s vice president, said he would vote to honor the commitment the board made with Fort Bliss in 2005.
“I will vote in favor because I was one of the trustees who stood up saying our school district would support these students,” Dodge said. “I am assured by the fact that we have the money.”
Read more about this story in tomorrow’s El Paso Times.
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