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Board approves reclassification of $733,855 Socorro High track purchase order to bond funds amid trustee objections
Summary
Trustees voted to move a $733,855 purchase order for Socorro High School track refurbishment from the general fund to bond funds; one trustee objected, saying the district should prioritize preserving jobs and programs amid upcoming layoffs.
The Socorro Independent School District board on Wednesday approved moving a purchase order for a track refurbishment at Socorro High School from the general fund to bond funds, a decision that drew an objection from at least one trustee who said the money should be used to preserve staff.
Administration asked the board to reclassify purchase order 9402500255 issued to Viber World Sports LTD for $733,855 from the general fund to bond funds. David Solis, the district’s chief financial officer, said bond capacity had opened following completion or cancellation of other bond projects and that the track refurbishment aligns with bond‑authorized facility improvements.
Solis told the board that the bond fund had sufficient capacity — a little over $2 million — and that reclassifying the PO would preserve general fund resources for operating needs. “Reclassifying this expenditure will help preserve general fund resources, thereby strengthening the overall financial position of the fund in light of our current budgetary outlook,” Solis said.
Trustee Crandall objected, saying the district should not reallocate money for a single high‑school track while teachers and staff face layoffs. “How dare we reallocate $733,000 … for a track and field when we just spend millions of dollars for SAC 2,” Crandall said. “Are we going to do one track for one school or are we going to save 300 jobs?”
Board vice president Najera and other trustees asked clarifying questions about bond eligibility and whether the track project had been part of the original bond program. Solis said the track was not originally included in the bond but is allowable as an improvement and that the PO was issued this year.
The motion to reclassify the purchase order was made by Ms. Macias, seconded by Ms. Gardea, and recorded as carried.
Why it matters
Reclassifying capital spending to bond funds reduces immediate pressure on the district’s general fund, which staff say faces an $8.5 million shortfall for next fiscal year. Opponents argued the move is politically sensitive given the simultaneous announcements about staffing reductions and the potential financial strain on operating budgets.
What’s next
Administration will complete the accounting reclassification and report the change in the next financial update. Trustees asking for more context said they want clearer overall prioritization criteria for using bond capacity versus general‑fund dollars.
