JISD approves budget, lower tax rate

Staff Reports

Correction: The printed version of this story missed an edit. JISD DID NOT approve a change to their local policy on public comment which would have restricted it to only items on the agenda. JISD school board meetings CAN have public comment on any topic whether or not it’s on the agenda. The online edition has been updated to reflect the correction.

Jefferson ISD Trustees approved a balanced $15,864,504 budget for the 2025-26 school year, and a M&O property tax rate of 0.6822 and an I&S property tax rate of 0.0394, for a total tax rate of 0.7216, which is lower than last  years combined rate of 0.772 per $100 valuation last Thursday.

No one was present for the public hearings which were held before the adoptions.

In other business, the Board made chose not the change the local policy BED(Local) on public participation at meetings; changed EFB(Local) on instructional resources and library materials; and approved a resolution regarding Senate Bill 12 on Parents Rights.

Change proposed to BED(Local) would have changed what can be said during public comment at Board meetings.

“At all Board meetings, public comment shall be limited to items on the agenda posted with notice of the meeting,” the proposal stated. It was defeated and public comment remains able to be on any topic, whether or not it is on the agenda.

Changes to  EFB(Local) center on the processes used to aprpove the acquisition of materials and donated items for school libraries. It also outlines how a parent may indicate what materials in a school library that their child cannot access.

SB12 relates to parental rights in public education, including requirements and prohibitions regarding instruction; diversity, equity and inclusion duties; assistance with District student social transitioning; and student clubs.

Senate Bill 12 became effective on September 1. It is discussed in more detail on page 6 of this issue.

An Executive/Closed session was held to discuss additional security personnel needs, and those discussions were approved following the closed session.