EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – A Canutillo Independent School District board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 14, was abruptly canceled.
District officials said that the meeting was canceled after four of the seven board members couldn’t make it due to “unforeseen circumstances.”
Officials confirmed that without a quorum, the board could not legally proceed with the meeting, which had a packed agenda of proposed cost-saving measures aimed at addressing the district’s $2.3 million budget deficit.
Among the most anticipated items was a vote on the non-renewal of 12 teaching contracts across Alderete Middle, Canutillo Middle, and Canutillo High School.
The proposed cuts were part of a district-wide reduction in force, which officials say is necessary due to a decline in enrollment and lack of state funding.
“This is a result of the state’s inability to fund schools in an appropriate manner. They have not raised the persecuting allotment for public education since 2019,” said Gustavo Reveles, spokesperson with Canutillo ISD. “Just like most school districts in Texas are suffering from budget deficits as the result of the governor’s and the legislature’s inability to fund public education properly.”
Also, up for discussion were proposals to eliminate several certifications specialists’ positions, reconstruct the human services department, and reverse a previously approved 3% salary increase for central office administrators.
The board was also expected to discuss the search for a new superintendent during the executive session.
The meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday, May 20.
Read: Read More