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.
Members of the Mighty Marching Maroon Band of Bowie High School crowned its royals during halftime ceremonies on Oct. 16. Band Sweetheart is Lilli Zilfo and Band Beau is Adam Hofbauer. Congratulations to the marching band for its work at UIL contest Saturday. While the band did not advance to area Director German Torres said he was very proud of their work this year.
Autumn has arrived in Montague County, and local school districts are gearing up for a full lineup of family-friendly fall festivals throughout the month of October.
From games to coronations, residents will have plenty of opportunities to support local students and celebrate the season.
Forestburg Independent School District starts its festival at 3 p.m. on Oct. 24, featuring games, a silent auction, gift baskets and a coronation of festival royalty.
Bowie Elementary will have its fall festival from 5 to 7 p.m on Oct 24. The event features both live and silent auctions along with carnival games.
Tickets are on presale at five for $1, or at the festival four for $1. Unlimited game wristbands also can be purchased for $20.
The seasonal celebrations wrap up on Halloween.
Saint Jo Elementary Parent Teacher Organization hosts its fall fest from 12 to 2 p.m on Oct. 31, in the Saint Jo Cafeteria, featuring various activity booths and local vendors.
Gold-Burg ISD follows from 2 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 31, on the GISD campus.
Attendees can enjoy games, a haunted house, food and a pie-in-the-face booth. Tickets may be purchased with cash or check only.
Other fall events include a family fun night hosted by Calvary Baptist Church at 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 31, at 204 Decatur St. The event will include food and a trunk-or-treat.
The Bowie Independent School District Board of Trustees celebrated student achievements and reviewed a perfect school security audit at its Oct. 19 meeting.
The meeting opened with recognitions. High School Principal Dr. Dean Johnson recognized teacher April Word and her theater students, Adryana Torres, Aowyn Word and Lilliana Zilfo, for excelling at Theaterfest 2026.
Johnson said the students earned the title of featured performers, placing them in the top 15 performers in the state. Word also got an award for exemplary campus theater director at the event.
Read the full school board story in the Thursday Bowie News.
Top photo- The school board recognized the Bowie Junior High cross country boy’s team after they won district runner-up at the recent meet. (Photo by Caroline Crain)
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