EL PASO, Texas — Socorro School District (SISD) is navigating a significant financial hurdle as it grapples with a $41 million deficit. The latest measure to address this shortfall includes a reduction in the district’s health care benefit contributions, recently approved by board members. This decision imposes a $20 decrease per employee per month towards their health care benefits, alongside other austerity measures such as a 0% salary increase and no retention payments for the upcoming school year.

Employee Health Clinic Encouraged Amid Budget Constraints

Dr. Alba Nevarez, a family medicine physician at the SISD employee health clinic, has emphasized the importance of utilizing the clinic’s services amidst these budget cuts. Currently, only about six out of 9,000 SISD employees have availed themselves of the clinic’s offerings. Dr. Nevarez hopes to increase this number, highlighting the clinic’s unique role in the district.

Dr. Nevarez underscored, We make it convenient for [employees] to come and be seen by us. We offer telemedicine so they don’t have to miss work. We accommodate their schedules, including lunchtimes and after-school hours. The clinic, established four years ago, provides employees and their dependents with an alternative for primary care, urgent care, and various wellness services.

Comprehensive Health Care Services Available

The SISD clinic focuses on preventive care and wellness services, offering annual exams, well-woman exams, urgent care treatments, and even mental health services. Unlike traditional primary care providers, the clinic conducts in-house lab work with rapid results for tests such as kidney function, liver health, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar levels, ensuring swift diagnoses and treatment plans.

Dr. Nevarez added, We perform laceration repairs, joint injections, and a range of procedures that cater to the health needs of our employees and their families.

Financial Impact on District and Strategic Adjustments

With $8.8 million of the deficit directly tied to healthcare expenditures, the district continues to seek avenues to reduce costs while maintaining essential services. SISD faces the highest projected budget deficit among local school districts for the upcoming school year, a challenge compounded by its status under conservatorship by the Texas Education Agency.

The district’s budget for the next school year is set to be finalized on June 19, following ongoing discussions on potential measures like the closure of the aquatics center and adjustments to work schedules to mitigate financial strains.

Conclusion

As Socorro ISD navigates these financial challenges, the employee health clinic stands as a crucial resource in maintaining accessible healthcare for its workforce amidst budget cuts. The district’s proactive measures aim to balance fiscal responsibility with the well-being of its employees, ensuring continued support for educational excellence in the community.

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