Trustees approve partnering with Weidner

The Ector County Independent School District Board of Trustees approved partnering with Weidner Apartment Homes to provide financial assistance in securing affordable housing.
Supplemental agenda material says Weidner has committed to provide a reduction of 10 percent off current market values when calculating participating employee rental agreements.
In addition, Weidner is reducing initial move-in costs.
The agreement would be set for two years. ECISD will complete a master lease agreement with Weidner while employees will complete an occupancy agreement, the material said.
ECISD will provide payroll deductions for employees and pay Weidner on behalf of each participating employee. ECISD will cover the first monthly payment and subsequently withhold the cost from employee paychecks over the first 12 months.
Deputy Superintendent Stephanie Howard said ECISD has been working with Weidner on this for the past two weeks.
Howard said the agreement will encompass 100 units ranging from basic to luxury in several different complexes.
The leases will be for six months, Howard said.
Interim Superintendent Jim Nelson said the district is hopeful that the agreement will be expanded.
The board also approved a salary schedule that included raises ranging from 4 percent to 5.4 percent, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Gregory Nelson said.
Jaiver Ruiz, president of the local chapter of the Texas State Teachers Association, told the board he would like to see hourly employees get a 6 percent raise.
He said he was pleased that the board listened.
The board reached a consensus that it would revisit the matter after they had time to digest the information.
In other business:

  • The board recognized employees of the year for the district.
  • Heard a report on demographics.
  • Heard a report on state assessment results, which included Ector College Prep Success Academy.