Meeting set for prospective bond committee members

Community members asked to become members of an Ector County Independent School District bond advisory committee will have their first meeting next month.

Chief of Staff Brian Moersch said dinner will start at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at George H.W. Bush New Tech Odessa, 300 E. 29th St.

Another bond and tax ratification election were discussed at a March board work study session.

In November 2017, a $291,172,291 bond and a tax ratification election failed and some of the current needs were included in that bond.

On the bond issue, 61.81 percent of people voted against the bond and 38.19 percent voted for it, or 4,442 against and 2,744 in support.

On the tax ratification election, 60.04 percent, or 4,312 people voted against it, and 39.96 percent, or 2,870, were for it.

The TRE trustees discussed it would be for 8 cents per $100 valuation, which would generate about $11 million and bring the total tax rate to $1.23 per $100 valuation. It is currently $1.15 per $100 valuation.

Supplemental agenda material and Superintendent Tom Crowe said ECISD has immediate needs such as roof repairs for roofs damaged by hail storms in 2016 and 2017, controlled access to campuses, technology and fiber upgrades, buses, police cars, portable buildings for growth and raises for employees.

Other than teachers, bus drivers and support personnel haven’t had a raise in two years. The hail storms left the district $6.7 million short of being able to meet its deductible requirements and the insurance company is still assessing the damage.

There are 11 schools that have controlled access.

Moersch said an email was sent out before spring break and letters were sent this week.