SCHOOL NEWS
BISD prepares to finalize, adopt tax rate, budget
Bowie Independent School District Trustees will put the finishing touches on the proposed 2018-19 budget during a pair of early morning meetings on Aug. 31.
The public hearing on the budget proposal and the proposed tax rate is scheduled for 7 a.m. on Friday, which is the last day of the budget year.
The second meeting is set for 7:15 a.m. Friday with actions items to amend the 2017-18 budget, consider the committed fund balance for district needs, approve the 2018-19 salary schedules, approve the superintendent contract addendum to reflect a 3.3 percent salary increase for all non-step employee and adopt the budget and tax rate for the new year.
During its Aug. 20 meeting the board approved a salary option that will pay teachers their annual step plus $500, pays aides the step plus $200 and provides the remaining staff a 3.3 percent raise comparable to the other raises.
In addition the district will contribute an additional $25 per month toward the employee’s health insurance. The state requires the board to pay $225 per month per employee. The current rate is $275, increased from $250 last year.
Expenses for the overall budget are projected at $15,222,334 with revenues estimated at $14,204,621. The deficit would be made up from the fund balance.
The budget would be funded through a proposed tax rate of $1.22 per $100 in property value, which is the same rate approved in 2017. The maintenance and operation portion of the rate remains at $1.04, and the debt service rate at $0.18.
BISD saw a 2.24 percent or $20,587,152 increase in its 2018 certified values at $937,778,769, which helped it maintain a comparable tax rate for the new year.
The principal of Forestburg Independent School District Kay White, has sent out an alert to parents and students regarding a dangerous Tik Tok Trend regarding Chromebook devices.
A letter was posted to the district’s Facebook page on May 8 bringing this trend to their attention. According to the post students through Tik Tok are being encouraged to force electrical short circuits on Chromebook devices by inserting items into the USB port. This action can spark or puncture the lithium battery in the device and poses a serious fire risk.
“Students and parents, be award if your student chooses to engage in this trend they will face serious consequences including, but not limited to the following:
- Up to $300 in replacement/repair fee.
- At minimum a 30-day loss of technology use if not permanent loss.
- School consequences such as ISS/OSS/DAEP.
- Criminal charges pursued for vandalism and/or arson.”
It concludes by encouraging parents to talk to students about the importance of appropriate use of district technology resources and the consequences of their actions.
Trustees of the Bowie Independent School District approved all the offered contracts for professional educators during last week’s meeting.
After a brief executive session the board returned to open session to approved the contracts. Several staff members are retiring include Kathy Green, principal at Bowie Elementary; Chris Cornelison, assistant principal at Bowie Junior High and Kristi Hunt at Bowie High School.
Superintendent Blake Enlow said there are a few who don’t have all their certification completed that did not receive a full contract. There also were no reassignments of staff to other duties as of April 21.
Read the full story in the May 1 Bowie News.
The Hardin and Clark Scholars, the top academic honors at Midwestern State University, and other outstanding students were named during the annual Honors Recognition Banquet April 25 in D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
Rykir J.A. Evans was named Hardin Scholar. Evans is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science.
The Hardin Scholar is the university’s highest award for academic excellence and was begun in 1962 by the Hardin Foundation. It is presented each spring to a student during his or her senior year and a $3,000 scholarship award is given with the honor.
Read the full story in the May 1 Bowie News.
Rykir J.A. Evans named Hardin Scholar for Midwestern State University stands with Kandace Adam, the Clark Scholar. (Courtesy photo)
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