"The Cost Savings Measures that were not implemented in the First Year of the 2011-12 Cost Savings Plan may need to be considered during the Second Year of the Cost Savings Plan through the 2012-13 Budget Process."
Among the key points of his hearing were the addition of the new ROTC unit at CC Winn High School, the Texas 20122nd Junior Air Force ROTC which cost the district $175,000.00.  CC Winn Principal had the following to say about his new unit, "We are very proud to have the newest AFJROTC unit in the nation, and I would like to thank the school board and Mr. Mijares for getting this process done.  Sergeant Michael Gamez will be at the helm."
Also at the forefront of next year's budget is the new JJDAEP which the district has not received a cost as of yet, but it will allow the district to house students sent to alternative educational settings to remain in Maverick County saving the district thousands.
Another big issue is that of the re-establishment of Provision 2 for free and reduced lunch for all students in the EPISD.
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Samuel Mijares had the following to add in reference to this item, "It's good for everyone as we have not addressed this provision since the 1990's, however we need to address it at this time in order to continue providing free lunches to all our students," Mijares said, "Parents need to be patient this year at registration time as they will need to fill out this form as it is the only time the Federal Government will allow us to get this done.  We will have people assisting them with pads and pens and to answer any questions regarding the completion of these forms, please be patient."  
The aforementioned forms must be filled out in good numbers in order to avoid parents having to pay for school lunches which would be an unexpected expenditure which would adversely affect families' budgets in these tough economic times.
A follow-up article in reference to Annual Yearly Progress will be in a subsequent issue of The News Gram sometime next week as official scores have not yet arrived which may or may not cost the district hundreds of thousands of dollars in future funding as Mijares works to balance the budget.
"The school district’s initiative is to continue providing the necessary educational services, avoid laying-off full-time employees, and continue paying employees twice a month," concluded Mijares.