S-T ISD Trustees Address Budget and Tax Issues

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Skidmore-Tynan ISD was held August 28, 2006. The session was preceded by a 5:30 Public Meeting on the proposed tax rate.

In administrator reports, superintendent Dr. Brett Belmarez stated that, as a result of Texas House Bill 1, the next school trustee election will be moved from May to November 6, 2007 in line with the general election. Dr. Belmarez also suggested the district may look into the possibility of outsourcing its cafeteria management services. District Business Manager Carole Estes reported a 150% increase in the district's insurance premiums due to hurricane-related changes in coverage. Mrs. Estes advised trustees that damage from future hurricanes would likely cost the district much more in out-of-pocket expenses than in the past.

A scheduled closed session meeting to address Employee Level 3 Grievance Presentation: Mrs. Diana Trevino (Mr. Rick Olivares) was cancelled when the grieving party failed to appear.

Action items appearing on the agenda included:

• Consideration and Possible Action on Employee Grievance: Mrs. Diana Trevino (Mr. Rick Olivares) This item was dropped from the agenda.
  
• Consideration and Possible Adoption of 2006-2007 Budget. Trustees approved a $6,590,764.00 budget for the 2006-2007 school year with a retained balance of $1,161,846.00.
  
• Consideration and Possible Adoption of an Ordinance for a Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2007. Trustees approved a combined tax rate of $1.44515 per $100 property valuation.
  
• Consideration and Possible Approval to Pay Bills for Legal Services. Trustees approved the payment of $4,290.96 in legal expenses related to a recent lawsuit.
  
• Consideration and Possible Approval of 2006-2007 District and Campus Goals and Objectives. This item was approved.

The next meeting of the S-T ISD Board of Trustees is scheduled Monday, September 11, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.