The Board of Trustees set a tax rate hearing, reviewed a plan to purchase new English Language Arts textbooks and received an update on ongoing construction at its Aug. 2 meeting.
Board sets a tax rate hearing as 2018–19 budget comes into focus
Trustees recommended staff to set the Interest and Sinking (I&S or debt service) tax rate at $.4700 per $100 valuation, a decrease of $.00187. Demographers project enrollment for the 2018–19 school year at 39,755 students, which represents an increase of 987 students. The proposed general operating budget for 2018–19 represents a 3.44% increase over the fiscal year 2017/18 “revised projected” budget, and an increase of 0.88% in the per pupil expenditure.
Major factors for the increase include the need for additional personnel due to the projected enrollment growth, the 2% pay increase for personnel, the increase in the employer contribution to healthcare and the increase in the major maintenance plan. Trustees will vote on the final tax rate during their August 23 board meeting, which will also include a continued rate of $1.04 per $100 valuation for Maintenance and Operations (M&O), equaling a total rate of $1.51. The Board will also host a public hearing on the tax rate.
Trustees review community-driven process for Technology and Instructional Materials Allotment
Leander ISD will purchase new English Language Arts (ELA) textbooks and instructional materials for grades K–8 as part of its regular evaluation of items purchased through the Technology and Instructional Materials Allotment (TIMA). LISD will purchase new materials for the 2019–2020 school year, as the community and teacher-driven process takes one year to review products.
Construction continues on LISD’s major maintenance, Bond 2017 projects.
New schools and facility improvements continued through the summer and Leander ISD will launch the process for selecting architects and construction managers for the remaining Bond 2017 projects. Construction crews broke ground on Elementary School #27 in the Larkspur subdivision. The target date for completion is June 1, 2019. Maintenance crews finished Building improvements projects, including HVAC systems and interior improvements, at Leander Middle and Giddens elementary schools. Crews also worked at LMS on the security upgrades and classroom additions. C.C. Mason Elementary School students will enjoy its new playground, which will replace aged equipment in a part of the campus impacted by erosion.
