American Recovery & Reinvestment Act
1511 Certification
As Superintendent of the El Paso ISD, I hereby certify pursuant to Division A, Title XV, Subtitle A, Section 1511 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Public Law 111-5, that the infrastructure investment listed below has received the full review of the vetting required by law and that the infrastructure investment is an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars. For information about ARRA funds, link to http://www.recovery.gov. Dr. Lorenzo Garcia, Superintendent of El Paso Independent School District.
Project One
Short Title of Infrastructure Project One: Preschool Outdoor Learning Environment
Description of the Infrastructure Project One: Construct a quality, state of the art outdoor learning environment that is an extension of the preschool classroom. This eco-friendly, safe, well-planned learning space will support specific and group activities intended to stimulate the children's opportunities to explore, question, problem solve, move and enrich interaction with children, adults, and materials as a consequence of a child's natural curiosity to play outdoors. Diverse settings within the environment will include an active play area, a reading pad, sand and water area, tricycle and walking path, a garden area, art area, and a theater designed to address the development of the whole child; physically, cognitively, emotionally, and socially. Six elementary school campuses have been identified throughout EPISD.
Estimated total cost of project: $570,938.00
Amount of ARRA funds to be used: $570,938.00
Project Two
Short Title of Infrastructure Project Two: Community Readiness Classroom Environmental Pavilion
Description of the Infrastructure Project: Construct a quality-covered metal pavilion with a modified swing. This will assist students with severe and profound disabilities in many ways. It will allow the students to have a covered outdoor area where they can receive multisensory stimulation in a bright, open area protected from direct sunlight that will sometimes trigger the onset of seizures. The installed modified swing will provide the stimulation of fluid full body movement that can provide students with increased sense of special orientation and improve their balance. It can also decrease distractibility and gravitational insecurity, prompting the student to have increased comfort when placed in a sitting or standing position. Three elementary school campuses have been identified through EPISD for this project.
Estimated Total Cost of Project: $212,000.00
Amount of ARRA funds to be used: $212,000.00
Project Three
Short Title of Infrastructure Project Three: Two Evaluation Rooms
Description of Construction of Two Evaluation Rooms: Construct two evaluation rooms designed for multi-disciplinary team evaluations. Students can be afforded authentic assessments in an environment structured for observational play and parent interaction. Best practices states that multi-disciplinary team evaluations are recommended for children ages 3-5, autism evaluations, and for students with sensory impairments and diverse linguistics, cultures, and backgrounds. The evaluation rooms will also be ideal for students who are not responsive to standardized assessment.
Estimated Total Cost of Project: $20,266.00
Amount of ARRA funds to be used: $20,266.00
The El Paso ISD does not discriminate in its educational programs or employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, military status, or on any other basis prohibited by law. Inquiries concerning the application of Titles VI, VII, IX and Section 504 may be referred to the district compliance officer, Vincent Sheffield, at 881-2619; Section 504 inquiries regarding students may be referred to Cecilia Whiteman at 881-2527.
