Socorro superintendent says district will be able to weather budget challenges
Socorro Superintendent Xavier De La Torre told a room of more than 500 people this afternoon that the district is doing well, but he also noted areas for improvement.
He spoke at the annual state of the district luncheon at the Judson F. Williams Convention Center.
De La Torre highlighted district successes and concerns, both financial and academic. He discussed budget issues and the challenges the district faces with a state deficit of up to $27 billion.
“We will likely be able to weather the storm, but that is not the case for all districts,” De La Torre said.
He also mentioned areas he felt the district could improve upon. He said 95 percent of the district campuses are recognized or exemplary, but he wants more to be exemplary. He also said the district needs to prepare students even more for careers right after high school.
“We don’t give enough time to occupational literacy,” De La Torre said.
He also spoke about the growth the district experienced in recent years and how the growing presence of Fort Bliss will only increase this pattern. He said the growth in the area is due to the affordable housing, strong health care programs and a successful district.
“Often times it feels like we are the best kept secret in El Paso,” he said. “Our kids are doing terrific things.”
The Socorro Independent School District event also highlighted several district programs, including a tasty effort by its culinary arts students.
Each of the attendees received a dessert created by students in the program from Americas, Socorro, El Dorado and Montwood high schools. Americas High School’s chamber orchestra provided the music for the event.
The event was sponsored by the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce.
Read more about this story in tomorrow’s El Paso Times.
Similar Posts:
- Our schools: No furloughs, pay cuts in future, school districts’ officials say
- 3 districts push bond, tax-boost initiatives
- Education fireworks: Two El Paso districts give minimal teacher raises despite cuts
- Most school districts have Good Friday off
- Broad Foundation disperses scholarships, begins tour of YISD campuses
