Trustees to adopt budget, tax rate Aug. 31

By Melinda L. Lucas

During a regular session on Monday, Aug. 15, Albany ISD’s board of trustees set a date for a special meeting to adopt the 2022-2023 budget and tax rate, planning an early morning meeting on Aug. 31, the last day that the budget can be adopted according to state law.

The board also reviewed recently released state school ratings, with director of student services Leigh Lowe explaining the information, which is detailed in a separate article.

FIRST Rating

Superintendent Jonathan Scott presented the preliminary findings of the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST), which is the financial data submitted to the state for the 2021-2022 year.

Albany ISD received an “A” or superior achievement rating, with a district score of 100.

Tax Rate Projections

Scott went over numbers in the budget for the 2022-2023 year, which is still being adjusted. He explained that he had initially submitted a local property value survey based on values he was given by the county appraisal district (SCAD) on July 25.

However, some “material errors” were discovered by the SCAD a few days later. Because the new numbers increased the district’s revenue, Scott appealed his initial submission, which had been required by the end of July, and the state granted the appeal.

The preliminary budget is based on the new “maximum compressed rate” on 89.41 cents with the “five golden pennies” added that the state allows with no election for a total tax rate of 94.41 cents.

Other Business

•The board reluctantly accepted a $131,212 proposal for property and casualty insurance from the Public Educators Association of Texas, with the bottom line amount about $40,000 more than last year.

•Technology assistant Brittany Lefevre demonstrated one of the new Cleartouch interactive panels that are being installed in secondary classrooms.

•The consent agenda included facility use of the gym for a new youth volleyball league.