ECISD

The Ector County ISD Board of Trustees on Tuesday reviewed the Senate Bill 1882 Partnership renewal process and timeline. Board members Dawn Miller and Tammy Hawkins were absent. Associate Superintendent of Student and School Support Alicia Syverson said the district has three partnerships — two innovative and one turnaround. The two innovative partnerships are with STEM Academy and the YMCA for pre-K 3 education. There is one with Third Future charter network that is a turnaround partnership for Ector College Prep middle school. The Y and Third Future are in their third year. STEM Academy is in its second year. ECISD would like to renew its partnership with the YMCA and recommend that Ector College Prep be brought back into the district. Superintendent Scott Muri said the next time the board will see recommendations is January. Syverson said the board can decide before January, but the earliest action can be taken is December. Muri said ECISD and Third Future want a smooth transition. “It’s a semester long opportunity. We want to make sure on July 1 our team is ready,” Muri said. Board member Delma Abalos said since they are at this point, she would like to find out what’s going to be done about extracurricular activities at Ector. Muri said some thoughts will be brought to the board. Early voting for the Nov. 7 bond election starts Oct. 23 and runs through Nov. 3. ECISD has three propositions on the ballot. Muri said there will be three early voting locations and all the information is available on ECISD’s website, including a video describing the projects in the proposals. For more information, visit the www.ectorcountyisd.org or the election office website https://www.co.ector.tx.us/page/ector. There was no executive session to consider hiring an executive director of guidance and wellness. Chief Communications Officer Mike Adkins said there was no one to recommend. >> Trustees also heard a report on the FIRST rating. FIRST stands for Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas. The FIRST report assesses how school districts spend their money annually. This FIRST report is for 2022-23, which is based on financial data from 2021-22. ECISD earned a Superior Achievement rating, which is equivalent to a grade of A. This was the sixth time in the past seven years ECISD earned an A. In the 21 years since this report’s inception, ECISD has earned an A in financial integrity 17 times. Created by the 76th Texas Legislature in 2001, FIRST is designed to encourage public schools to better manage their financial resources to provide the maximum allocation possible for direct instructional purposes. The FIRST ratings are calculated using a series of financial indicators, such as administrative cost expenditures; the accuracy of a district or charter’s financial information submitted to TEA; and any financial vulnerabilities or material weaknesses in internal controls as determined by an external auditor, the recap said. >> Trustees voted 5-0 to approve purchases over $50,000. Included on this list is heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) replacement, installations and repairs; fence replacement and repairs; plumbing projects; concrete construction; electric installations and repairs; landscaping; asbestos abatement projects; and supplemental services for Special Education. >> Trustees voted 5-0 to approve the 2023 Certified Tax Roll. Information from the Ector County Appraisal District shows total taxable value of property in Ector County for 2023 is $18, 054, 865, 100. >> The board also honored a record 50 students who earned National Merit Scholar or College Board recognitions. >> Special presentations also included the MASBA Recognition of Excellence Awards, and announcement of the Beacon Award for Excellence in Collaboration given for the Bookworms Literacy Program partnership between the Education Foundation of Odessa and several local companies. >> In public comment, three students from Odessa High School’s Global Leadership Academy – recognized during the special presentations – spoke about their experiences in the award-winning academy. Y eilen Sartorio Batista, Sebastian Perez, and Y elena del Caridad Cedeno Pirez talked of program’s positive impact on their knowledge, leadership skills, critical thinking and community involvement. They said they have benefited from the support they are receiving as they pursue higher education and their life goals, the board recap said. Members of the Student Health Advisory Council were recommended for appointment or reappointment. They include Stephanie Galindo, Amy Marquez-Pando, Mollie Vega, Mellessa Brennem and Jennifer Weston. The board also heard presentations on Measures of Academic Progress, or MAP test data.

Odessa High School senior Anika Gundlapalli has done her school proud. The 16-year-old senior is a National Merit Semifinalist. This is the first time in...

The Ector County ISD Board of Trustees on Tuesday will consider hiring a new Executive Director of Guidance, Counseling, and Wellness. The board meets at...

A handful of community members turned out for a meeting about the $436,109,000 bond up for election Nov. 7 at Connection Christian Church Thursday. At...

In a joint news conference, Grow Odessa and Ector County ISD announced the donation of 37.9 acres of land near the corner of Murphy...

Following an executive session, the Ector County ISD Board of Trustees Tuesday voted to purchase 40 acres at South Tripp Avenue for the west...

ODESSA Members of the Grow Odessa Board and ECISD Leadership will announce the donation of land related to the upcoming Nov. 7 ECISD Bond...

The Ector County ISD Board of Trustees on Tuesday will consider taking action on purchasing two separate properties for a career and technical center...

Ector County ISD’s Curriculum & Instruction Department has scheduled a STEM Summit Saturday, October 14, in conjunction with the solar eclipse. This is a Math...

Recently, John and Carol Bushman, on behalf of the entire ICA Corporation Team, treated Ector County ISD veteran bus drivers and custodians to dinner...