001This is just >> I'm going to call to order the board of trustees special meeting for bud proposed budget and tax rate hearing. Time is 6 o'clock. Uh we do have an established quorum with Derek I mean with Derek Gwell absent >> are you want to talk on tax rate hearing or >> no it's on >> it's on the the regular meeting. Yes. >> Uh is there any discussion or on the budget or tax rate? If nobody's here, I hope I will represent the community county taxpayer and I will say that um the uh I know y'all what five and a half% increase on your budget this year something like that at least from what I read on the table. But um so this isn't necessarily me ugly about it. It's just um I did
002something today that I've never done and I went and I looked at the um the median income of the people in Elon and I track it year to year and what I'm going to tell this to every that I go to. So it's not just y'all but you know they're looking at the people in town are increasing their their income about 1% a year over the last four years of available data. So at a certain point like like the county is going up 9% um at a certain point >> you know certain on each side >> that kind of that math doesn't add up and I'm just here to remind people that it doesn't add up. Eventually, if it continues like that, it's going to be a mess. Well, most of the reason we had
003to increase is because the state increased the salary scale across the board. And we had no input in that except so many of our teachers got an $8,000 raise and so many of our got a $4,000 raise and that just about where I went to. >> Okay. Well, I appreciate that. I appreciate that explanation. >> Absolutely. Well, 85% of our budget every year is for instruction. I mean, we're right at it, if not over it. So, I mean, that's the majority of that budget over time. We're going to take care of our teachers. We want to keep them here. We've done everything we can. I feel like a lot of a lot of efforts gone into that to hold these good teachers here. We very good teachers, we're good administrators. So, >> okay. And I'm
004not arguing that. I think you're absolutely right. >> But eventually that does work. So, and that and maybe that's the whole point. You know, you talk about the state or whatever. You know, the state has the state probably it would be them to look at that themselves >> because they're the ones, you know, you look at the controller, you look at >> that's that's true. But if if you if you think about it, our teachers can still drive an hour and a half and increase that pay another good $10,000 as a place. >> Sure. But They also have >> their cost of living would increase as well. >> there's a lot of things that would increase but and we want to keep them here. We we truly want to keep them here but we really
005had no choice in in this year in the budget increase. That's really the main thing. >> Okay. Well, I appreciate it. Thank you. >> I'll throw in there also. So, we know that the tax the property tax is increased by 16%. We have I don't like that either. Um, but we do have, you know, this number coming off next year that INS coming off and it looks like it's a small number, but it's it's going to help. I mean, we are we are consistently going down collecting more money each year because the rate's increasing, but we're getting where we need to be, and we pay for our things without a lot. And that's always a really good thing to remember. So on those numbers, are they the same as last round when we discussed this
006a couple weeks ago? >> Our taxes are exactly the same as they were last year. The rate the values are not. >> Okay. Motion to return. >> I make a motion to adjourn from this particular meeting. Okay, I'll call the regular >> 606 right behind it. >> Several rows behind it. >> Derek is still absent. We still have a quum. If everybody will bow, I'll get invitation. Dear little, just be with us. Help us make wise decisions for the community, for the district, for the students. Just make sure that all our decisions are are based in those. Just be with people that are in your need and need your help and hand over them. Just watch over us, lead us, guide us, direct us. In your name I pray. Amen. To the flag of the
007United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Are you wanting to talk in citizen participation or you want to talk about an agenda? >> Yes, sir. This is Okay, the floor is yours. >> Okay, I'll get out here. Everybody can see me a little bit better. U first of all, thank you for time to be here. My name is Gen Sierra, also known as J P Sierra and I'm with Texas Bank. I'm the president there. U just one one important concept about me. I'll say one more thing about me. I'll tell you this. I was born in this building and at the time I was the heaviest baby. I was 12 pounds two pounds. So that's I had the record
008at the time. >> You maintained your weight very well. >> I don't know. But and again um I've come here talk bank. First of all, congratulations to you guys on the rating. Uh command go Sydney. I think we have a great county of schools. Uh I think it's great for our kids to be in these rural communities. I think it's it's a big advantage. My kids go to Comanche and and and I missed the ride the Comanche meet on that one time. I do miss that. But I just wanted, you know, I was I was thumbing through the agenda and or just thumbing one day on the internet. I saw the agenda and I saw you guys looking at deposit rates. Uh we're a very competitive bank in investment deposits. I know schools are are
009seeing where uh you know budgets and are getting tight and and and that's and but you know it may I may too late for the party but if I'm not you know you know if you guys are willing to wait another 30 days we'd be given we give you guys a a proposal and and it may be too late and that's fine but if in two years that opportunity comes available we we would be glad to do it. Uh right now we have the commist we have the county we have the learn community. So we have a very aggressive investment, you know, portfolio that we allow, you know, these schools to to gain more income. So in the future and we are a, you know, I'm a community banker by heart and Texas bank is
010a community bank. U we are we got uh banks in central Texas and metroplex. Uh majority ownership has a ranch in convention county. So they really have an investment in our rural communities. So uh that's that's pretty much what I came here today. let you know that if there is an opportunity, we would love to have the opportunity to make a report one day for your investments. >> I will say the last time we went out to bed that was offered and and we got no response. So, >> yes, I I understand and I missed it this time and this might have been my fault, but like I said, we're very uh you know, and last time I've been there six years and you might have done when I was there last time, but you
011know, um we'll we'll welcome that opportunity anytime. Thank you. We'd love to do it. >> All right. Thank you for your time. >> Everybody have a chance to read the previous minutes? I didn't find any additions or deletions or modifications. Moving on to comparison to revenue. >> Well, you're we continue to be in as good a shape I guess as we could hope for. Um right now with 91% of this is as of the end of July 91% of the year spended we have um spent 85.12%. However, we have some big ticket items that are coming due and you have already made budget amendments. U we cover some of that and this might be a good time to tell you that the budget amendment we did for the additional work to be done at the
012fieldhouse is not going to be spent in this fiscal year. So it'll just carry it'll just roll in the fund balance the money that you approved for that and then it'll be spent out of next year's budget. Hopefully in the meantime we'll find the money that and we won't have to have a budget amendment for it. We might have to, but that money that you projected for us to spend there for flooring weights and AC >> AC, yes, the AC will all be next year. So, we did put the doors in, but So, um, but anyway, we're in good shape with that. Um, everything's running well and next 31st >> Sunday at the end of this week we will we will close it out. The auditors will come and make all their adjustments and you'll
013get that report in formal form in December. >> Pardon? >> Well, in January. >> Yes. Yeah, it it'll be finished by by December, but we'll get the report in January. >> Tax questions. >> And since the last time we met, it is just a little bit. This is the time of year when we don't get very many tax taxes paid, but $29,543.86 is we'll take it every time. So, um that was collected since the last board meeting. And I would like to ask you to approve the consent agenda agenda. >> Make a motion to approve consent agenda. Second all four campus reports. >> I can tell He was already looking right at me. >> No, I didn't know. I want you to see who get up first. >> I was paying attention. >> Okay. Well,
014hey, we have had a great start in our learning adventure over at the elementary campus. Um, we started off strong. We had a great first couple of days. We had something fun for the kiddos to do every day. Make s'mores, little trailing s'more stations. That was fun for the kiddos. Uh then we had a science uh little um how to say back in the old days called going back to my older years. We had little science assembly. So all the grade levels came in two different rotations and it was really great. They really did enjoy it. Was very really was meaningful learning. We talked about doing it at the end of the year. I said, "Well, it's all connected to science, so let's just go ahead and get that learning adventure started." So it was
015really great. Kids really enjoyed that. Um, as far as our enrollment, um, we are standing at 294 students right now on the elementary campus. And when I say that, I'm counting the ones that we get a DA for. Um, we have five students that are paid that are in the preK program. Most of those are teachers, not teachers, but paras children or any that we had that was in the three-year-old program. As you remember, last year we had the three-year-old program. We do not have that this year. another reason we have fewer students, but um we went ahead and moved those up and we didn't want to boot them out since they were already there. So, they moved up and continue to pay. So, um we have five of those. Um other obviously we have
016the early head start and we have the daycare, but none of those are generating us any income. So, I did not count those in with that. We've had 23 students that have moved. There were no shows this year, so that's a lot. Um, eight of those are homeschooled. The rest have just moved to other districts for just various reasons, different employment, different housing. Um, but on a positive note, we had 35 new students. So, we really enrolled a lot of new students this year, prek through grade. So, um, every time I look up, I'm like, where's your name? So, it's been a lot a lot a lot of new faces. Um but um again part of our short shortened enrollment is that we don't offer the three-year-old program this year. Um but it just was
017not cost effective. Um I believe we never mustered over 13 students in that and it really was not enough even with you can draw the ADA on those. The majority of them were paid and it was a money loser really to do that. Um I do think Right now we're at 16 and 17 I believe in our prek. Um we're going to hold out till Labor Day. We have a few that are on the waiting list that would like to be in a paid prek. But because by law we have to accept kiddos and then if you have children that come up from another community and they're enrolling, you have to accept them. So we don't want to get to a situation where we're stuck with over 23 in a class. But I think after
018Labor Day, we'd be safe to at least take at least three more. And if at least we could stay at about 18 or 19 a piece, that still gives us a little wiggle room. >> A lot of four-y old. >> It is a lot of four year olds. It's a lot. Um but anyway, they're they're doing great. Um Hannah's really jumped into her role as a prek teacher and she is following her role model and she's just jumped right into Leah's footsteps. that's going really great and uh Leah's a great mentor for her. Um, so really I mean as far as enrollment goes, we we definitely there's no doubt we are we have declined. You know, I'm thinking back when I first started 10 years ago, we had 355 to 360 students. >> Few years
019ago, we had four sections first and >> yeah. So anyway, obviously we're a great school. I think a lot of it comes down to jobs and housing. So, um, listen, we are busy testing, but we have finished up our MAP testing. Um, as always, we have a lot to do ahead of us, but we're up for the challenge. And, um, we're finishing up our M class, which if you don't know, that is our required dyslexia screener that we have to do with every student um, kinder through second grade. So, we're and that's a one-on-one test. and Callie and Amber both pull the students out and do that oneon one. So, it takes a while, but they'll be finished with kinder tomorrow, then they'll start on first and then on to second. So, we're rocking and
020rolling. >> We also had a little bit of a decline in our enrollment, but it's surprising because we had new students in as well. seventh grade, which was our one of our larger classes. It seems to be the class that they're coming into is in seventh grade. We've had some new teacher students who come in. We also we're sitting at 133. It's down from what it was, but it's like Lori said, we have new students, but we have students who went to home school and they're doing the Texas K12 program. So, we do know that. We do hope that they come back because some of those students are special education and we know that our services would really help them be more successful. But we're just waiting to see if those come out. Something that
021we're really excited about on our campus is that um when we met Coach Whitaker, he said that his goal was that we would have zero in PE and seventh and eighth grade and they would all go into that. Well, our PE numbers are very low. But we only have uh probably in the seventh and eighth grade between the boys and the girls I think there's 19 students. So our athletics um we have uh 39 and our classes are are male dominant. If you know that our boys are just really more than the girls. So we're really excited about that because what we've seen is that with our two male coaches on our campus um that does change a lot of the dynamics where you are used to having we had one male coach but he
022was on the So there wasn't a really lot of that going on. But the whole dynamics of the campus have changed back to what from what I've understand from days past where they had that those coaches on the campus. So we have a lot of energy. We have a lot of energy that some of our students are not sure yet what to do with that energy. But we are really excited because we have UIL going on. So the kids are very excited about that. They've come up with some ideas for clubs for those students who want to do a little bit more than the UIL. One of them is a chess club. And I I don't know if you know this or not, but we have some students who are interested in fishing. And the
023um and I don't know whose son that might be, but he's trying to get >> trying to get a bath club at the junior high school. >> So, we're working. No, not yet. I don't think we have anybody with the boat and a driver's license in seventh grade. But but the excitement is there and I think that's the fun thing because at junior high school as you all I hope you remember that can be the most roller coaster ride out of your life for these kids if they've ever been on. Our teachers are engaged. We um we've changed our bell schedule. We mar the high school's bell schedule. So the the 51 minutes has really changed a lot of their their brains are like I don't get to wait a little bit longer. it's like
024no the pac is going but we do have an enrichment period for them to get some time some help to get those lessons caught up so it's it's really going well on our campus um just a lot of energy positive energy we are finishing up our match testing this week sixth grade will finish that up I think on Wednesday and um I left a volleyball game concession stand but our seventh grade did well so it's it's exciting on our campus we've got to harness the energy in the right direction but this is the school. So, we're we're going to take it and and be okay with that. So, um nothing quite like all the detail like Miss Academy had. We don't we don't do some although I think that's one of our current sixth graders
025would like if they could go back to elementary school and do some more because we got to do some more work. Anyway, >> they would like >> I think they would but it's going well on our campus. >> Our attendance is at 967 from the last week. So just under 97%. Uh we have 192. So we're actually up and so and then we projected to have two more coming within the next week. So we're looking about 194 staying right in that 190 area. Hopefully a little more. Uh we finished all of our English maps today. Uh we're working in our math maps right now and then we will go into our science and histories and Spanish maps. So by the end of this week we will be done with our maths testing as well. We
026have changed up our morning tutorials or I have and they seem to really be thankful the teachers do. Uh we've always had voluntary and I still tell them it is voluntary. As long as your grade is a 75 or higher, but when you hit a 74 or below, you're mandatory. Uh and coaches are phenomenal. The kids there in the morning, they let them go a little bit out of workouts. They get there. Uh today I made a believer because today was first day of mandatory and we had 23 that didn't show and 23 sat And so tomorrow I better have two or three. So they sitting in there. So but anyway, that's our deal. They they either go to tutorials to get the help they need or they say coach spont. So they have to
027study after they eat to make up for their tutorial time. So I've changed the tutorial system up a little bit for us. Um we've had an incredible start start to this school year. Um, as always, there's many things to keep our students active at the high school. Uh, just a few things that we're doing right now, we've had the band march in the parade, so they started early and come down. Um, volleyball kicking off their season and they're in tournament play right now. Uh, they actually have a home game tomorrow versus Eastland starting at 4:00 or 4:30 with the JB and then with the varsity and they're playing some really good volleyball. The girls are doing a great job. Uh we have two successful football scrimmages underneath our belt. We look forward to Dublin this
028week. Uh boys JB will travel Thursday. Boys will be home on Friday starting at 7:00, not 7:30. All last year games were 7:30 down at 7:00. Um cross country will kick off their season in Brownwood this Wednesday. Uh students have brought their show animals to the egg pens which are 102% full. Every pen is being used and some of them are doubled. So the barn that we built for them that you guys built for them is being used and being used well. Um there will be four major welding products projects this year. They're going to do a cattle trailer, a hay trailer, and two barbecue pits, large barbecue pits. That's going to be their show and competition stuff. But the cattle trailer and the hay trailer are spoken for. So those things are great. And
029all four of those will be used at that welding competition. I don't even know what it's called. I January, February or it's in the the spring semester. And then like I said, all of our academics, our maths testing is in full swing. Our dual credit classes actually started today. >> And so our kids that were looking for things to do now have something that they can sit down and get ahead of their credits. And our six PEK students have started their first cohort and they are excited about that. They uh they meet with Miss Campbell every single day and she has this after class just to help them steer in the right direction for their pathways. So we have a lot of moving parts and it's it's a good blast. We're having fun. You have
030anything to add? Not right now. Maybe next time. We're clicking right along spending that money getting ready to you getting your facility. >> Well, everything that we plan to do uh is complete except for the the athletic facility, the field house. Uh it I asked you guys to maybe take a little detour, drive down the com street and see how nice that driveway is. It is really I think it's improved the looks of our entire campus which is really really nice. It's tough in the mornings unloading kids and it's very very good. The restrooms at the elementary are wonderful in the gym except that we have a little boy get locked in there today. We're going to change those locks out because they're evidently locked and so we're going to get the kind that that
031just flip and say bake them and unbake it. Anyway, but we got him out and he's I hope it's when you were at meet the Bearcats that you looked at the scoreboard and saw that it's not pink anymore and it really is kind of prettier. And um our daycare at the middle school is going so so very very well. I think the parents are all very pleased and it's a beautiful room. So um the kids are >> we have three babies right now. We have two on the way. So it's kind of nice to start with just and we'll get the others popping in pretty soon. Um, but everything was clean and order orderly when school started. Um, the um I will tell you that the well at the stadium fuse or something down in
032the well. We've got to pull it. We've got to pull the pump. And so because that is an emergency, we're going to get that done because we don't water moderate our grasses and all that. But that happened over the weekend. So um but I mean they're on top of it. They do such a good job and we just we're very blessed. >> Okay. TR >> September October. >> Yeah, there's a ty convention and we don't normally go to that because that's right smack dab when our football teams are playing and and um I have talked with an attorney about coming um after we get school started after after September, you know, I always say after Labor Day and she's going to come here and um do some training for us on site because driving into
033Dallas and missing our football Thursday night, Friday night and it's really kind of difficult for us. So we don't normally go to that but if anybody wants to go certainly you just contact me and I'll get you to that. Um then I think that's all that >> the land purchase. I I did visit with that lady and u told her when the board meeting was. She did not seemable to what we had talked about to to offer and so she but she said she would think about it. So I think she'll get back to us. >> I guess is there pardon me? Is there any more discussion on budget adjustments? >> There there is a budget amendment. I put a copy. It's not in your packet. I put a copy on this on your in
034my but it's not here. Um we did do a budget amendment and he put at the very on the fourth page he talked about summary of it. One of the things that that we didn't budget enough for was our TIA money, our teacher incentive a lotment because we increased that number tremendously. We will get reimbursed for it, but we have we have to spend it in August in order for them to reimburse us in September. So, we didn't have enough money in there to do it. So, we have to increase it by $179,158 because of that. And then the cafeteria fund u we had to increase what we transferred out of general fund because we were over spent just a little bit in cafeteria. So and there was no change in debt. This is this
035will get us close to being right for our budget year. After the auditor is finished, they'll even it all out. And for the well Josh knows for MJ when our auditors come, they are independent auditors. They don't work for us. They work for themselves and they report to you. the the staff just furnishes them the material they ask for. We are not privy to working with them to make things. >> So, it's a good process. >> It's like he just moving about 20,000. >> Yeah. He just moved it around >> moving it between between uh accounts. >> Yeah. Any other discussion on that? I guess we'll head to action items to the district. I think the rodeo club donated $1,500 for academic awards. The young athletic booster club paid $10,000 to the school for football
036uniforms. Uh this is a really change for the Visa Club. They're running all their they'll run all their money through us because when they raise money, they donate it to us and then we spend it on the things rather than them spending it directly. Um and it just our auditors like that a lot. U first first national bank gave $100 for the best club Morris Thorns. Thank you, Miss Morris. >> Got a sponsor just in case and doc gave $500 for the back. So, we are very blessed. We're a very supportive community and I'm going to ask that you approve those gifts. I have a motion to approve donations and gifts. Motion made and seconded to approve presented all four >> understand pass five one uh 7.2 is approval of the budget budget amendment >>
037that I just talk about >> amendment number two. I'll second >> motion by car and second by ter. I guess we're approving the proposed budget for 2526 and it was in the first part of your packet. >> We skip 7.3. >> We just did that. >> I thought we did 7.2. >> No, 7.2 was a budget. 7.3 is the proposed budget for 2526. >> She did 7.23. >> This is the same as we discussed at our last meeting. >> Yeah. And and while it is a deficit budget, 53,000 is certainly something we we can work with. Hopefully at the end of the year it'll be zero. Now that I have to pay for it this year, we'll continue to look at it. >> Maybe we'll become Any other further discussion? Motion by Carrie, second by
038Josh. All four six to zero. Okay. Consider or approval to set the 2526 tax rate. It's right in their packet. It's not this at the M at 7223 and INS at 085. 2526. >> Motion by Terrell, second by Cody. All four pass 7.5. We're let >> business procedures. >> You do not have a copy of this. It did not change. It is the same as last year by law. We have to have it on here so that that I can tell you that it did not change and we can approve using it again next year. Make a motion to approve 7.6 motion by Cody and second by him. All four passes six to zero. Uh textbook committee This is the textbook committee. Of course, our teachers have uh input. They have meetings and we usually
039have samples for them to look at and things center. But I don't know what is up for adoption this year, language arts, language arts this year. And so they will they will look at at the ones that are approved by the state and Make a motion to approve the test presented. Second motion by Car and second by Carol Ter. All four passes six to zero. 7.8 is approval consideration and approval to extend depository. >> This is this is something that we can do without going out to Beth and going out all of the paperwork. You can ask for it to be extended for two years. And so I would ask you to do that because his I don't want to always say it's just the easiest thing, but it is very much easier to stay
040with them. You don't have to change your signatures. You don't have to do all new checks. It's a lot of hassle when you change banks. And when we when we went out for bids the last time, we only got one back and we went to several banks and asked for them to and they did not. So, um, bank has been very good to us and I would recommend that we renew for two more years. >> I do appreciate coming over and talking though. I love Texas Bank. We use it. It's a really good thing. Um, I think how long ago did you did you go out for? I remember nobody responding. >> It was four years. It was four years ago. I think that they're trying to have a presence in by opening the branch
041and when they are here that would be really great because you kind of need a local branch to be able to have that convenience signing cards and all the different things that take place. But I do appreciate him coming. Yes, he had did come in earlier and he was with me. Very very nice and they do support our students with with scholarships and things but um right now we're very pleased with that. >> Well, when they get a branch here I think >> competing bank won't hurt my feelings. When I came here, we had >> quite a while. >> Yeah. >> City still call the motion to >> do motion by Cody and second by MJ to extend Two more years. Three farmers and merchants. All four teachers evaluation calendar. >> This is something that
042you just need to approve before before we start evaluating teachers. It gives them a handle on when to expect their evaluations and and it also makes it a little more to them to know that it probably didn't change. >> It did not. I hope it changed all the motion to approve 7.9. I'll second >> motion by second by to approve the teacher evaluation calendar all four. Is there anything undereline is my favorite? Is it my turn? >> It's like emotionally turn. Okay. We don't really have to have a second. >> Okay. I will tell you there is there's water tonight. And last night last night there was no water. There is water. Got it myself. And there's really good cookies and um I saw it cake. So you might need a snack before you leave.
043Thank you very much. Are they still playing volleyball? >> Yes, ma'am. I just text. She said they're still playing volleyball. >> Okay.