The Jefferson ISD board of Trustees opted, Tuesday night, to leave the tax rate unchanged in the ’22-23 school year.
Superintendent Rob Barnwell and Finance Director Mike Wood explained their recommendations related to the proposed tax rates at the regular Board meeting.
According to Wood, it is expected that lower rates will be officially recommended and adopted at the end of the month but Barnwell recommended the Board approve a proposed M&O tax rate of .9634 and a proposed I&S tax rate of .0801 (total 1.0435) for the ’22-23 school year, which are the same rates as last year.
Joey Romano made a motion to set the proposed M&O tax rate at .9634 cents and the I&S rate at .0801 cents, for a total tax rate of 1.0435.
Jason Bonner seconded the motion and it carried, 7-0.
Wood and Barnwell provided the Board with some updated information related to the ’22-23 proposed budget.
There was some discussion, a few questions and explanations.
Wood said although the budget proposed for approval at the end of the month will be balanced, the district will be using ESSER (federal) funds in order to close the gap associated with higher expenditures and lower expected revenues for next year (approximately $600,000).
Much of the increase in expected expenses is associated with a higher premium related to the property/casualty insurance.
Victor Perot, of Brownrigg Insurance Company, was on hand to explain the reasons behind this increase.
The Board set the date and time for the required public hearing related to the discussion and consideration of the proposed budget and tax rates for 6 p.m. Aug. 30, 2022, in the JISD Administration Building. Mr. Williams seconded the motion.
In other business:
-Campus and Administrative reports were given.
– District administrators Jerry Brannen, Laura Dossey, Terence Jimerson and Shannon Hensley were introduced to the Board.
-Barnwell gave an update on the progress of the stadium project and asked for tentative dates for local Board training.
-Mr. Barnwell informed the Board about the UIL District passes that he made available to the Board members.
– The Board Approved the members who make up the Concussion Oversight Team for the 2022-23 school year, along with giving authority to the superintendent to amend this COT team, if necessary during the year.
After an executive session that lasted nearly two hours, the Board accepted the resignations from Sara Smith, Raylon Duffie, Willie M. Jones, Catherine Payne, Angela Sparks and Jennifer Smith.