Unit News
Fort Bliss Commanding General Maj. Gen. Howard B. Bromberg hosted a televised information session to answer questions from those in the audience, as well as those who phoned in or e-mailed questions, at Soldier Hall Feb. 24.
He was joined by Dr. Lorenzo Garcia, superintendent of El Paso Independent School District; Dr. Terri Jordan, EPISD chief of staff; Command Sgt. Maj. David Davenport, post command sergeant major and Col. Edward Manning, garrison commander, as well as numerous subject-matter experts from EPISD and the installation.
After opening remarks and a brief information session provided by EPISD; the panel took questions from audience members and queries submitted by telephone and e-mail.
The questions included in the first portion of this article were answered live during the information session. Those questions that could be answered by the school liaison office follow the live section below.
These questions and other questions asked will be reviewed and answered by school officials in order to best meet the needs of our military families.
Frequently Asked Questions sheets will be made available once all questions have been fielded and published at a later date.
For more information, call the SLO at 569-5064.
Q: How can Fort Bliss better partner with EPISD in regards to college readiness?
Garcia: We are creating a memorandum of understanding with Major General Bromberg that will live beyond the general and I. The military has all the jobs in the world. Technology in the military is number one in the world. As we begin to present our program, we are taking a look at relevant electives and creating new stem courses (math, science and technology) that replicate what is at our special schools (such as Transmountain Early College High School). The MOU would advance the courses.
Bromberg: The MOU is extremely important. Students can get real practical application for the future.
Q: What can someone do if they can’t get a solution from a school?
Bromberg: First you need to work with the school principal or get in touch with the Military Family Liaison, if your school has one. If your needs are still not met, then go to the Fort Bliss School Liaison Office who can facilitate a solution.
Q: Why isn’t Spanish offered in elementary schools?
Garcia: We are investing in advancing our dual-language programs. It is an expensive program and we have it mapped out to be implemented in 21 of our campuses next year. Every year we will roll in a new set of campuses. We are investigating incorporation of Chinese. If you do not want to wait for your school to get the program you can request a transfer to a school that already has it established.
Q: Has the installation considered making the installation a DoD school system?
Bromberg: The history behind DoD schools goes back to when military installations were established overseas after World War II when public schools didn’t meet student needs. When the United States decided to desegregate schools and it became federal law, DoD schools were placed at installations in areas that did not conform to federal law. To date the city of El Paso has nine school districts. EPISD has more than 90 schools. We have adequate schools here in El Paso and so DoD will not build schools on post.
Q: What are you doing for gifted and talented students? Is there a separate budget?
Garcia: It depends on the school. One school will do a full-model program while another school will have a different model. Each GT student is eligible for the fine arts program. The GT budget is separate, but of course there is not enough money so it has to be supplemented through regular dollars.
Q: Due to the construction behind Ross and Hughey, will EPISD continue to provide transportation?
Garcia: Major General Bromberg approached us and asked to provide transportation. We feel it is a safety hazard so we intend to be very supportive. Transportation will be provided for the remainder of this year and will be continued for next year upon Major General Bromberg’s request.
Q: What are the post’s plans to build more youth facilities so kids have a place to go after school?
Manning: We are tripling our size of Soldier population between the years 2005 and 2012 from 9,000 Soldiers to 34,000 Soldiers. About 55 to 58 percent of the force is married with an average of 1.6 kids. We have a very robust program for construction. Within the next several months we will open three facilities. Two will be on either side of Milam Elementary, scheduled to open May 1 and 15 respectively. We have a new facility next to Bliss Elementary School opening June 14. Logan Elementary will expand; we are opening a gym for that one April 15. There’s an additional child center for Milam that will open in 18 months. This is a great time to be a Soldier with family members because of the billions of dollars for programs and facilities.
Q: A lot of military families are asking how the money is allocated throughout the district for impact aid.
Garcia: Impact aid is funded for 18 cents on the dollar. The money we get, a little over three million goes into the general fund. We are spending way beyond the amount of money on the work we are doing. We appreciate it, it helps the district. Keep in mind of all the expenditures we have as a district.
Bromberg: A lot of military families believe that when they fill this form out that is a one to one scenario. It is not a direct correlation to what the school districts pay in order to educate your child. It does count in bond issues, operation or maintenance costs, however, it does help the school district and is very important to fill out. Every penny helps the education of military children and the children in El Paso.
Q: In regard to No Excuses University, is there a date for other elementary schools to start getting the program, especially those directly affected by military children, and is there a place to go to find out more about the program?
Garcia: In November we took teams of administrators and went through staff development called Pave the Way. We can let you know the progress of each campus. We are looking at the work we are doing with our eighth grade students on career pathways and backward mapping it to our elementary students. Updates on what schools will be getting with this program can be found by contacting Maria Flores, the associate superintendent of elementary schools.
Q: People still speed in the school zones on post. Are the MPs or Garrison enforcing the speed limits?
DES: Bottom line is yes, we have a lot of enforcement out there. We are in the process working with additional MOUs with the 93rd MPs to increase the amount of patrols out there. If there is a specific concern, please call us and we will come.
Q: My son will be 4 by July and Ysleta only offers two preschool programs that are 30 minutes away. Can we transfer to EPISD?
Garcia: If there is a military member who lives outside of the El Paso Independent School District, they can transfer their child into our school system. Most of our elementary schools have room. Our secondary schools typically are capped so there is not as much room.
Q: There is a lack of Black History programs at Austin High School. Can these types of events be held during school?
Garcia: I would direct the parent to work with the campus principal and pose that question to the campus improvement team. Part of their work is to hear from parents and teachers for ways to improve the school. It is a really good vehicle. Start with Dr. Tanner. He is the new principal and I know he would be open to help.
Q: In regards to TAKS testing, I have small children. My concern is getting students through elementary school because of the TAKS testing. Only two of the 20 students in my child’s class are getting the concepts needed for TAKs.
Garcia: We have to be aware of the way we structure our curriculum. We backward map were students need additional support. We have a model now where we stop and take a snap shot at the end of six weeks to see how our students are doing. We look at the data closely to see which students need support. This data is taking a look at how each teacher is doing and that is how we provide interventions. The teacher needs to be able to deliver the curriculum sufficiently. Because this is an individual class, talk to Maria Flores who works with the elementary campuses. We are making great advances in the state exam.
Q: How does the Military Partners in Education program work? What is their role and how do I find out who my partner is?
Davenport: PIE ties military units to schools in El Paso. Units can get involved and be role models. Go see the school liaison or someone in the principal’s office to find out who your unit sponsors are. We have a very active program and a great partnership.
Q: We enjoyed being able to pre-register last year at the last education fair. Will this service continue next year as well?
Jordan: We have committed to have this program again and to expand it. We will have our staff there to continue pre-registration in the summer.
Q: Some classes are overcrowded. Can you explain Texas law on campus size?
Garcia: From Pre-K through 5th grade the student to teacher ratio is 22 to 1. Once a class goes over 22 by state law we have to hire an additional teacher. This year we’ve secured one waiver for an elementary school on the west side. There should not be overcrowding in the elementary schools. From sixth through eighth grade the student to teacher ratio is 14 to 1. However, many times it appears to be over that. Every school gets an allotment but we need to look into all the special programs and scheduling problems; so some classes will be bigger. We have been able to maintain a low ratio for more than four years. In the area of secondary, if you are concerned with overcrowding go talk to the principal. A personal committee looks over requests for additional staff.
Q: What measures are in place so seniors that have moved from another state can graduate on time?
Garcia: Texas Legislature approved the Military Interstate Compact and we are doing everything to get that done. If a student moves in from a previous district that is out-of-state and has different requirements, we are going to try and get everything done so students get a diploma. Hopefully the other state they are coming from has also signed with the Military Compact so they are obliged to work with us. James Anderson and the counseling department make sure to help with school transitions.
James Anderson: [The] district is looking at Senate Bill 90 and the Military Interstate Compact. We have really pulled together all our resources and want to make the transition easy and smooth. We have evaluated our district policies so that it more aligns with what the Military Compact says.
Jordan: [The] district is also a part of the Military Child Education Coalition, which allows counselors to attend trainings to understand the challenges that military families face.
Q: What are the procedures that are in place for Federal 504 violations and what is being done?
Garcia: 504 is a requirement from the federal government that we have procedures in place for students with disabilities and how we provide accommodations. Carol Powell heads the Special Education Department. If you feel there is a 504 problem you, as a parent, have a right to file a complaint. You will need to fill out the paperwork, and from there an investigation will be done and we can see how we can rectify the situation.
Q: My husband is deployed. Will the district record graduations like they do at other installations?
Jordan: Absolutely. The opportunity to see live graduation films is great and that will continue. We will get that communication out so times are available to families.
Q: Can Fort Bliss military officers be a part of the school board?
Bromberg: No, we are not going to appoint a military officer to the school board. We have adequate representation from the garrison commander and school liaison. Few military installations have an officer on the school board. As Dr. Garcia and I have talked, we will not have a standing member but they are invited to participate. Through the Process Action Team we also have plenty of input on the school board.
There were questions asked during the event that will be answered in a later edition of The Fort Bliss Monitor.
Parent Satisfaction Survey
Fort Bliss and El Paso area school districts have come together to develop a Parent Satisfaction Survey. We want to hear feedback from military parents with children in area schools to strengthen military student transition and educational success. Parents are invited to complete a survey for each school they have children attending. Parents will be able to provide feedback in the following areas:
• School climate
• Curriculum and instruction
• School Safety
• Home-school communication
The survey will be available online at the following links:
Fort Bliss Parent Survey - Elementary School: www.surveymonkey.com/s/NRM3T6L
Fort Bliss Parent Survey - Junior High/Middle School: www.surveymonkey.com/s/NRJ99R5
Fort Bliss Parent Survey - High School: www.surveymonkey.com/s/NRNBFP9
The survey began Monday and will be online for two weeks.
For more information, call the School Liaison Office at 569-5064.