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EPISD audit puts blame on former CFO for financial issues
By Rishi Oza at KVIA ABC-7
· July 13, 2026
· 1 min read
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Why this matters in The El Paso
The El Paso Independent School District's internal audit reveals a disturbing lack of transparency and accountability within the financial management department, which ultimately contributed to the nearly $53 million budget deficit. The fact that significant risks were known but not communicated to Superintendent Brian Lusk or the board of trustees raises concerns about the district's governance structure and its ability to make informed decisions. The consequences of this financial mismanagement are already being felt, with the district declaring financial exigency and cutting over 50 contracted positions. As the district moves forward, it will be crucial to monitor how the new oversight of financial operations by Deputy Superintendent David Bates addresses these issues and prevents similar problems from arising in the future. The community will be watching closely to see how the district rebuilds trust and ensures responsible stewardship of its finances.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? var cachebuster = Math.round(new Date().getTime() / 1000);
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When was this published? This article was first published on July 13, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Rishi Oza at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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