You might have heard that teachers are getting a 10% to 17% pay raise in the 2019-2020 school year and expected that tax rates would have to go up. But they are actually going DOWN! Thanks, TISD School Board!

The School Board approved the 2019-2020 Budget and Proposed Tax Rate.  The budget was presented showing additional funding from the state due to Texas House Bill 3.

This allowed the School Board to lower TISD’s current tax rate.

It will be reduced from $1.425 to $1.3233 due to Texas House Bill 3.

General fund revenue is $68.97 million with projected expenses of $68.92 million and a fund balance change of $51,113.

The new rate will be represented by $1.0683 for Maintenance & Operations (M&O) and $.255 for Interest & Sinking Funds (I&S) which is used to repay bonded indebtedness and other debts.

During the July 25, 2019 regular session of the TISD Board of Trustees, excitement filled the room, followed by a standing ovation from attending staff, as they approved the 2019-20 budget featuring a new teacher pay scale from $43,000 to $63,000 per year.

“We are extremely excited that Governor Greg Abbott signed into law, on June 11, 2019 one of the largest overhauls of the Texas school finance system,” said Paul Norton, Superintendent of Schools.

“The new measure includes about $6.5 billion in new public education spending and is a game-changer for many school districts,” Norton added.

“Our teachers and staff deserve this additional funding.  It is their love and compassion for our students that sets them apart.  The TISD teacher can be described as resilient, resourceful, innovative, progressive, prepared, well trained and dedicated," the superintendent said.

"They see the potential, encourage the effort, teach the skills and give love so that every child knows they are a valued member of our Tiger Family,” he added.

Texas House Bill 3 contains major reforms to public education including:  support for teachers and rewards for teacher excellence; a focus on learning and student outcomes; prioritizing early literacy; improving college, career and military readiness; increasing support for special education; expanding learning opportunities; increases in funding and equity; reductions and reforms to property taxes.

In supporting teachers and rewards for teacher excellence the Basic Allotment (BA) districts receive per student has increased from $5,140 to $6,160.  Districts must allocate 30% of new monies toward full-time employee compensation increases – 75% for teachers, counselors, nurses and librarians.

Other items reviewed and/or approved by members included:

*Approved Items as Surplus.  Items no longer useful to the District but still having value and can be sold were declared as surplus.  Listing includes:  56 Two-Way Radios.  Items will be sold in July through an online auction at Rene’ Bates Auctioneers, Inc.  Interested persons can bid, at that time, on items at www.renebates.com or visit the TISD website at www.txkisd.net which will take you directly to the district’s page on the online auction site;

 *Approved Budget Amendments for the 2018-2019 Fiscal Year.  During the month of June, final budget amendments are prepared in order to complete the fiscal year and prepare the books for audit;

*Approved Memorandum of Understanding between TISD and Texarkana College for College Prep Mathematics and English Courses.  As part of HB5, Texarkana College offers courses in Mathematics and English for high school students who are unsuccessful on the TSI, ACT or SAT exam.  Students who are successful in these courses will fulfill the requirements for entrance exam requirements in place of the TSI, ACT or SAT exams which will eliminate them from taking remedial courses during their freshman year of college;

*Approved July 2019 Board Meeting date change from June 16, 2019 to July 25, 2019.