Margarita M. Phillips 
Keeping the total tax rate the same, paying off the bonds sooner and the next tailgate party celebrating the 100th anniversary of Ector County ISD.
In his call to media on Wednesday, Superintendent Scott Muri said the ECSID board of directors voted to keep the tax rate at the same level, at a total of $ 1.17 per $ 100 of assessment. .
The Texas legislature cut school district tax rates a few years ago.
“They have been doing this for the past three years, so I commend the board for their good stewardship of our dollars and for making the wise decision to keep the tax rate at the same level. This will allow ECISD to continue to do the good job that we are doing to ensure that we are providing quality education to our students, â€said Muri.
In addition, at the last school board meeting, administrators voted in favor of early redemption of some district bonds in order to repay them a little earlier.
“In fact, we’re going to pay off about $ 5.5 million in bonds. The good news comes from the amount of interest savings that will be realized. We will save $ 2.5 million in interest payments by paying off that $ 5.5 million in bonds many years in advance. Again, with the good management of our trustees, we were able to repay these bonds sooner and then save taxpayers $ 2.5 million over the life of those bonds, â€said Muri.
Of the celebration, Muri said the district invites everyone to Ratliff Stadium from 4:30 p.m. on October 8.
There will be food trucks from all over the Permian Basin, Muri said.
A concert with the Permian and Odessa high school students will be attended by the Gatlin brothers.
“… The Grammy Award-winning Gatlin brothers will be on stage this Friday night, sharing their incredible musical talent,†said Muri. “As many of you know, the Gatlin Brothers are the sons of ECIDD. They were part of our community for many years and enjoyed great fame in the music world and will be sharing their talents with us that evening.
The pre-game festivities are free, but there will be a fee for the game, which kicks off at 7 p.m. on October 8.
The evening will end with a drone show.
“Some school districts will wrap up a special event with fireworks, but we’re going to kind of take that opportunity. We have a really exciting opportunity with the drone technology coming in to offer a closing event that night for the whole community. It will be quite a fun demonstration, â€said Muri.
Asked about the COVID tests ECISD is expecting from the state, Muri said they have yet to receive the rapid tests, so students and staff are not being tested with them.
