National education experts visited Socorro Independent School District campuses Wednesday to decide whether the district should be considered the country's best at teaching children. Socorro is one of five finalists for the $2 million Broad Prize for Urban Education, which is equivalent to the Academy Award for school districts that show the greatest improvement in student achievement. To receive the prize, districts must also demonstrate that they have reduced the achievement gaps between poor minority children and their affluent Anglo counterparts. A winner will be announced by U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan on Sept. 16 in Washington, D.C., and will receive $1 million in scholarships for high-school seniors who will graduate in 2010. The other four finalists will receive $250,000 each in scholarships, which means Socorro is guaranteed that amount. "Everyone is passionate and enthusiastic, but what this shows most is that we have established processes and strategies that will guarantee student success in the long-term, even if one of us leaves," said Pat O'Neill, the district's assistant superintendent for administrative services. Education leaders have already looked at data that include scores from state standardized tests, performance on the SAT and ACT college entrance exams, and graduation rates. Thursday, they will continue to examine operations, planning and instructional strategies in the district. Two things stood out about Socorro during the trip -- high expectations for students and programs to help at-risk children. So many districts claim they do these things, but we can see that this is really the case at Socorro, This is a district that has had such high levels of growth and could have easily collapsed like others with such increases in student population, but instead focused on academic rigor." Socorro surpassed the state average at increasing the percentage of students who were proficient in math and reading between 2005 and 2008, according to the Broad Foundation. The district also narrowed the achievement gaps in reading and math between poor students and more-affluent students. In 2008, Socorro outperformed other districts in Texas that have students in similar income levels in the two subjects. Win or lose, the district will have access to scholarships from the foundation, which will be available to students who demonstrate academic improvement and show financial need.
I got my notice in the mail and the value only went up a few dollars. Great!!
My assistant got hers and her value is easily $30,000 more than anyone could sell it for. We must protest.
An acquaintance got theirs and it is easily $50,000 less than it would sell for. They smiled and left the conversation.
I hear from others theirs went up measurably. CAD (Central Appraisal District) advises they only upped the values about 2% overall.
My thoughts you ask? Property Values have decreased more than 2%. Taxpayers have a very limited window to request a protest. Must be filed by June 1 or 30 days from the receipt of the notice. Question we should all ask, can I sell my house for what CAD has it valued at?
Not sure, call your favorite REALTOR and ask for a CMA. Check out www,PropertyTaxesInElPaso.com
I was just reading the reviews of Mayor Cooks state of the city address. So some are to think the address was timed to benefit his reelection. While this blog is not supporting any mayoral candidate, I am wondering if the Central Appraisal District’s mailing of the Notices of appraised value are also late to benefit the election. Will we not get the overdue and long awaited for envelopes until after the election? Surely not. I have not heard anyone addressing the state of property taxes as they are. Plans are not to increase taxes but will be see significant increases in values. I think a lot of us are waiting.
Howdy all
Spring has sprung, dust bowl is alive, buds and blooms are sprouting and to be noted this month is Easter, April 15 Income Tax Deadline and Central Appraisal Distruct mails out the 2009 PROPERTY TAX Valuations are due any minute.Will your valuation be higher or lower. Don't laugh!
New website, blog and twitter just about Property Taxes in El Paso...
So drop on by the site, post your comments, tell everyone why we need taxes (and we do),your ideas for improvement if any and learn about filing protests, contacting elected officials that influence your taxes and share with your neigthbors and coworkers becuase in El Paso we are one great community together.
Howdy
from
Cynthia Morris
in El Paso Texas
Of Note: I am not a tax professional, nor do I play one on TV or the Internet. You should seek advice from a CPA or professional tax preparer. If the IRS comes after you with guns blazing for anything you read in this post or anything you think you read in this post, it's not my fault. Seek professional help!
FIRST-TIME HOME BUYER TAX CREDIT As Modified in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act February 2009 SO WHAT CHANGED
• Amount of Credit from $7500 to $8000
• Now it can be used with mortgages that were bond money, prior could not.
• Do NOT have to repay
• If you sell in 3 years or less you have to give back
• Ends December 2009
• Effective as of January 2009 And if you bought in 2008 what can you or should you do File for the $7500
So if you have not bought a home and you are a first time home buyer (have not owned of home in your name or spouse's name in 2 or more years) what are you waiting for?
This is an awesome time to buy! Buying in El Paso is a good investment (one of the best markets in price, in growth, in forecasted future)! If you have not bought, have friends that have not bought, call me and lets see how we can get you that great home at the great price in a great location at great interest rates ever and with the only REALTOR you will every need.
Me, Cynthia Morris Sounds great to me, what do you think?
Still have questions, just call or email me any time - Or you can just call just to say Howdy!
Wishes for a an awesome day to all!
Next Newsflash(s)
*Property tax Protests
*Do your elected officials affect your property taxes?
*What can you do if you cannot make your mortgage payments
*How to find foreclosures and shorts sales for you to buy *Filing for the stimulus credit to receive
*Over 65 and moving carrying a lower valuation is awesome
Anything you want to hear about, let me know
Cynthia Morris Broker-Owner
CRS,ePRO,GRI, CSP, WCR, Texas Property Tax Arbitrator
Residential Real Estate, Property Management, Instructor
Buying, Selling, Rentals, New Construction, Foreclosures, Short Sales
EPHomeSearch Real Estate Services LLC
Phone 915 471 4300 Fax 915 855 4609
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Howdy! My name is Cynthia Morris, Broker-Owner EPHomeSearch Real Estate. so if you or someone you know wants to BUY, to SELL, to INVEST, Call me, I want to be the only REALTOR you will ever need!
As a professional realtor, I take the customer and the entire process of buying or selling as a responsibility. I am responsible to earn the trust of my customer and my peers. A home and your money are about as personal as one can get and I take the situation seriously. I have worked hard to become greatly knowledgable in many areas of real estate and surround myself with a team of experts to assure every need is met in the very best way. I insist that the process of buying or selling has to be fun and remind my valued customers to maintain a sense of humor in the process.
I have earned the CRS (Certified Real Estate Specialist) designation. Realtors with the CRS designation have proven they have the experience, training and commitment to be among the best in their profession. I also have earned the ePro designation. Realtors with the ePro designation are experts in the communicating, marketing and showing properties on the World Wide Web - statisitcs show that now more than 80% of buyers and sellers start on the internet!
On the light side, my husband is a builder, a professional inspector and a property manager. We have 3 daughters, 3 grandsons, 3 dogs, 8 horses (and one is pregnant), 2 minature donkeys (and she is pregnant). And no, I am not pregnant, leave that to the animals now! :{
My motto - Buying, Selling, Investing, or just want to Discuss Real Estate in El Paso, call me to say Howdy, I want to be the only realtor you will ever need!
I love El Paso! I love the People, the Mountains, the little bitty Rio Grande River (John Wayne would be disappointed) and the real estate potentials in El Paso.
Everyone should be an investor. Buying your first home is an investment. I have helped many to realize real estate wealth and portfolios.
I am a business person, a realtor, a homeowner and your best advisor when it comes to buying, selling or investing.
As a career military officer I have experienced a number moves and have dealt with a great many realtors. Cynthia's professionalism, vibrance, and attention to detail has set her well apart from the rest, and I can proudly say that she has been the best that I have had the pleasure of working with. She is now the standard that I compare other realtors to, and I am proud to refer her to all of my peers and friends.
M. Hammond
El Paso,TX
Cynthia Morris is all heart and has the integrity, dedication and high standards that helped make our dream of owning the beautiful house we now call our home! We definitely recommend her to anyone interested in buying a home because she cares!
A. Bang
Horizon Texas
Cynthia took a difficult situation and made it seem too easy. We sold our house without any hassles and her strong marketing got us what we hoped we would get, which is more than we thought we would get. We recommend Cynthia to all our family and friends and are very thankful for her tireless efforts.
M. Burrola 
Presidio TX
I began working with Cynthia while deployed to Iraq. She informed and educated me of the process by the internet and kept with me until she thought she understood what I wanted. I arrived in El Paso, called her and found the house I could not believe I would own the very next day. I did not know buying a house could be this easy, fun and wonderful.
D. Joyner
El Paso TX
Cynthia not only sold my house but took care of every details before the sale, during the sale and after the sale. Cynthia did more for me than any realtor I have ever met! Thank you Cynthia.
C. Forman
El Paso TX
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