001ed an organized and efficient manner and to that end would like to outline a few ground rules for us to follow. First and foremost recognize this is a board meeting and by law most of the discussion and all the voting must be done in open session but public participation by necessity must be limited to that part of the agenda that's reserved for public input. Occasionally the board may seek uh some clarification from an administrator or may even ask a question of someone in the audience and it's the board's prerogative to seek that information uh as it needs but uh unsolicited participation is from the audience inappropriate. Second, at times uh it may seem we're voting on issues of importance with little or even no discussion. Just be advised that all board members get a packet
002of background information about the subsequent tonight's agenda several days in advance of actually coming here to participate in the meeting. After receiving the packets, all board members have and often exercise the opportunity to contact various school administrators to ask specific questions in an effort to better understand the issues on which we're expected to vote. Thank you for being interested in your school district. We encourage your active participation in the educational process of your children and appreciate your cooperation in helping us conduct the business of Santa Fe ISD in an organized and civilized manner. Hope you enjoy the meeting. Okay, Mr. Here to pray. >> Very good. We have a prayer and then we'll stand for our invocation, please. >> Hi. Thank you for being here. Let me uh offer a word of prayer for us.
003Father, thank you so much that we get to come to you in prayer and that you get to go before us in all things. So Lord, as we gather here this evening, Lord, I pray that you would do just that. That every uh conversation, every word of encouragement, every concern shared, every question asked, you would lead out on, Lord. And I thank you for knowledge, God. I thank you that you have given us that knowledge. And I pray that you would help us to accompany our knowledge with love in everything that we do. And so, Lord, I pray that you'd be honored by this meeting tonight. It's in your name that we pray. Amen. >> Amen. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to
004the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas. One state under God, one and indivisible. Okay. Do we have any action from our close session tonight, >> Mr. President? We do not. >> All right, Miss Davenport, do we have any recognitions for tonight? >> No, sir. >> All right. Next, we'll move uh to our public comment on agenda items. The board of trustees will hear public comment on agenda items at all open meetings in accordance with the Texas government code section 5541.007. Public comment on non-aggenda items will be heard at the regularly scheduled board meetings in April, August, and December per our board policy. And tonight we have no one that has signed up. So we will
005pass that down to Julie and we will move on to our information items. Dr. Bot, what do you have for us? >> Yes, sir. Just a couple. Uh Mr. Wheeler is going to give and give us a brief maintenance and operations update. >> Good evening everyone. Uh quick update. Uh as most of you, as every one of you know, uh the city along with the construction company got the road finished on time. Um we uh got it knocked out, everything striped out on the Saturday before and we also had a successful ribbon cutting ceremony. Um the uh facility as far as facilities go uh the start to the school year was great. Everything uh operated as it should. Clean, safe, cool. Um we are still working with FEMA. Uh the annex, the Kubichek annex roof
006was replaced uh last week and they finished it up and we are starting to receive everything for the warehouse. Uh the the warehouse roof is going to be a full tear off of the Tekken panels and it will be replaced with a metal uh panel uh fastened to the uh structural steel and then they will coat in a PVC. Um other than that everything is running as it should and we're firing on all cylinders. >> When you say you're still working with FEMA? >> Yes, sir. >> Are we going to get anything any reimbursements from them? >> Yes, sir. We so we've we've had we've received six reimbursements from CRC. I don't think we've actually received the money yet. I'd have to check with Alex that they so the way that it works, FEMA FEMA
007approves it, and then it goes through TEDum, the Texas Department of Energy Management. They are supposed to al they are supposed to request the funds from the federal government, receive it through TEDum, and then pay us. They've already approved I believe six or seven projects that we've already completed work on and the share the cost share is typically 7525. Uh the roof that we're doing uh we are seeking mitigation for that because we are improving the roof and bringing it up to uh building code that we currently are in because it was re-roofed so long ago. But we we every time that we've asked where are the funding uh for the awards that we've been awarded on, it's kind of like it it it falls off. You keep asking and asking and asking and they
008just kind of like we're working on it. We're trying to get it all paid out. Um the largest the largest project that we have is going to be our category Z, which is basically the the what we were searching for for reimbursement uh for all the hours, personnel, and all the work that we did during the storm. But as far as all the projects go, we we have two open projects and that is the the roofs and then it is the uh softball scoreboard. >> Thank you very you answered my question. I didn't ask it in the right way because I knew that we had been approved but we have not >> received anything. >> I'm I'm afraid that when it's time to actually get the money, it may or may not be there. So
009>> Yes, sir. >> What's the dollar amount you're waiting on? >> So as of right now, we have projects that are still out there. >> Um Sarah, I was actually just telling me we did receive about $20,000 worth of that. Um the total transaction of the projects just including the roofs is about a million dollar. >> We're Yeah, the the entire the entire is that um >> so what's the interest on the million dollars we're losing sitting in someone else's bank account? >> More than $20,000. >> Definitely more. >> Yeah. >> Any other questions for Mr. Wheeler? I don't have a question, but in regards to War Path, I just want you to know I appreciate everything you did, just making arrangements for people to get in and out of here while that project was
010going on. Uh, your collaboration with the city. Um, thanks to the EDC for funding it. Thanks to city council for approving it. Thanks to city council for hiring a contractor that could get it done on time. So, >> absolutely >> appreciate everybody's work on that, getting it done on time. came together and it was it was an awesome project and we collaborated well and got it done. >> Appreciate it. >> Very good. >> I think there was some real doubt about whether or not it was going to get finished and appreciate you working with the city. I'm sure that helped things along and it it it turned out well. So, thank you. >> Yes, sir. >> Thank you, sir. >> Have anything else? >> Yes, sir. Miss Harris is gonna give us a brief accountability
011update. >> I like the way you accentuated brief there. >> I'll do my best. >> So, last month when I stood in front of you guys, I shared what our predictions were. Um, and I was a little down in the mouth and well, we'd worked so hard, but we didn't quite see what we what we wanted to. And every once in a while things fall into place like they're supposed to. So what we can't and when we do our predictions what we cannot do is figure out who would be considered who will always count for us and who will not due to snapshot. It's extremely difficult um to do that and this time it definitely worked in our favor. So um so we have exciting news this time. We as a district we are a
012B for um 24 and 25. Um so it's almost like I wish they'd have come out separately so that we could really celebrate the B and then celebrated again because now it just looks like we did it one time. They actually did it twice, two years in a row. Um so here are our standings as as they are like tea just uh revealed is an 80 for 2024 and in 2025 we actually got 81. So um some improvement there. Uh here are some um just so you can see the the past three years 79, 80 and then 81 for our district. Uh Barnett has been a B but has seen significant improvements on both 24 and 25. Kubachek as well all B's in three years. Almost got an A that one year. We're going to
013get it next year. Um Wulm as you can also see almost an A there. um and 24 and we didn't even really get a chance to celebrate that um but so close. So all good scores uh from our elementarymentaries, our junior high um you can see and I talked about this the first last month when I came uh was that from 24 to 25 four points. That's a huge amount of growth. So congratulations junior high. Um in high school also you can see that um in all three years our high school has been a B. So, I'd like to say that very publicly for some some people that like to say that we're not. So, anyway, high school, congratulations. Um, also, we have some distinctions in our elementarymentaries and very close in our junior high
014and high school. So, I really um expect to be standing in front of you next year with distinctions as across the board, which would then mean that we would have distinctions as far as our district as well. But uh Barnett received um five distinctions both years in 24 and 25. So congratulations Barnett. Very very impressive. Um Kubachek also post readiness and academic achievement in science for 24 and 25. Uh RJW 24 you can see was one two three four five and then four in 25. So also congratulations RJW. some amazing amazing celebrations. So, I'm now now I'm not as down in the mouth. Any questions for me? >> Any questions for Miss Harris concerning the uh accountability? >> Great job, guys. >> Yeah, no questions. Just congratulations. >> Yeah, just a quick comment. >> Sure.
015Um, yeah, this is amazing, uh, us making this much progress in the heat of everything that's been going on the last few years. So, >> uh, staff, teachers, principles, everyone should be really feeling good about where we're at and, uh, you know, I have high hopes. We're going to continue to hone things in and we're just going to get better. >> Yeah. So, >> we have a lot of plans. So all the plans that I shared with you last month are still going to be in place. Um the focus is still going to be in place. So I have no doubt that we'll be uh showing you even more improve improvements next year. I also I'm going to pass out a um Oh, you already did. Okay. Sorry. That way because you can't always remember
016them in your head, but that's the scores for you. Thank you. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> Thank you. >> Anything else, Dr. B? >> No, sir. >> All right. Next, we will move into our consent agenda. >> Yes, sir. We have a budget amendment and a couple of our annual renewals, but I know do you had a few questions you want to ask? >> Yeah, I did and I beg some indulgence on the board here to just had a few few questions. Could I get some comments around the uh the budget amendments just just for the people that are here and people that might be interested on on what those budget amendments are? >> Yes, sir. >> Go ahead. Do do you have a specific question or do you want >> Yeah. Can you just
017kind of explain, you know, what transpired on the on the budget amendments? I I kind of went through them and it looked like we moved some money around and we were actually saving more money than we were spending on these budget amendments. >> Yes. So, um if you look there, we submitted budget amendment one as a correction and it had to do with the function codes. Um normally function um codes for the debt service do not land in the 50s. It's actually 71 7273. Uh on the template when we were actually making this amendment, we unfortunately accidentally typed in the wrong numbers. So is it 51 53 52 and 53? Um so we're actually making those corrections. And in um the other areas, you're going to see that we moved budget from um some areas
018where it was not going to be uh spent on to areas where they could use some of those monies. Um, and this has to do because during the uh legislative session there's a lot of changes and we had to adjust budgets last minute and so those changes were submitted without the uh budget managers knowing and so they are moving some of those funds to accounts where they can use for what is better for the campus or the department. Um on budget amendment number two um we have an increase in u u nutrition services because of the sale of property. So, we are increasing their budget in there. Um, it was for a purchase of a vehicle by the district for $40,000. So, that is going to increase their revenue um on their end, but also
019u we are seeing those same changes. So, those additional changes in in the other accounts. >> Appreciate that. And and this was just to make uh people aware that we're constantly looking at issues to where we can move our money around and put it put it in a better place to where it can be spent and also um maybe not spend that much money uh as we see fit and save that money for the district. So I just wanted to thank everybody for that and thank you for answering my questions, Alex. >> Yes, sir. Anything else on the consent agenda? >> Yeah, one one other one here. The um this consider and approve the optional optional flexible school day program. Could could I just get a brief uh explanation of of what's really going on
020there for not only myself but maybe for the public? Miss Harris. >> M Miss Harris. >> Sure. Do I need to there. You're fine. >> Okay. So, um what that is is that is only for our Indian success academy, the high school that we now have >> over there. Um the reason it normally comes in um Junior July, but because we are changing in the access academy from high school attached to our high school to its own entity, we had to wait till we got that actual uh number code. And so that's why it's coming this year, this at this time. But essentially it it allows students who are enrolled there to have a certain amount of minutes that they have to make each day. It is less than your regular um school but the
021but to in order to go to that academy you have to be um pretty at risk. So um the the application is for only atrisisk kids and so that's why we have to we have to apply for it every single year. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you for that explanation. >> And with that, uh, Mr. President, I just wanted to, uh, uh, thank the board again for allowing me to ask a question on this consent agenda. Thank you. >> Anything else? Need to make a motion. >> Mr. President, I move to approve all items of the consent agenda 11.02 through 11.07. >> Okay. Okay. It's been moved and seconded that we approve the consent agenda. Any other questions or comments? >> No, sir. >> Not. Would you cast your votes, please? >> And it has passed
022unanimously. Thank you'all. All right. With that, we will move into our regular agenda, which we have what about six items or so, Alex, and I believe they are all yours. That's correct. >> So, this first one will be uh to the adopt the 2025 tax rate. >> That is correct. um it is to consider and adopt the 2025 tax rate. Um I do want to clarify a couple of things before the board. Um and that is um as the board is already aware of this but the public may not is that even if the values of the property goes up and the tax rate goes down or goes up or does its whatever it needs to do the district is only allowed a certain amount of money to collect. We cannot collect more than the
023allotted money by Texas Education Agency. So I want to clarify that even if our public, our taxpayers were to pay higher taxes, that only means that the state of Texas is going to give us less money. So just kind of want to clarify that. I know that there is some confusion from the public thinking that more money we collect because of valuation that more money goes into our coffers. That's unfortunately not the case. So, just wanted to clarify that before we continue. Now, as you know, the Texas Property Tax Code section 26.05 requires the governing board to elect a tax rate um 90 days or um um by September 30th or 90 days from the uh certification which is July 25th. Okay. And today we are bringing that tax rate to you. We are asking
024the board that they adopt a tax rate of 1.1014 which is effectively a 3.90% decrease in the tax rate. Okay. Okay. The tax rate is composed of 7522 which is the maintenance and operations tax rate which is a reduction of 2 cents from the previous year and of 3492 for the debt service which is a decrease of 2 cents as well from the previous year which gives you a total tax rate of 1.1014 per $100 in valuation. Now we are also asking for disaster pennies here. Okay, these disaster pennies are included in the rate that we have proposed and it is a total of um seven additional pennies. The board had already approved uh five golden pennies which is already included as a recurrent addition to our tax rate every year and we are asking
025for seven additional pennies. Three of those are golden which is means that the burden lies on the state and they will provide more funding. The remaining four pennies additional pennies are copper pennies. Those pennies yield less and those are for collections. Okay. Um however it does uh go over the voter tax rate and so we would have to ask the voters to approve this tax decrease. It's going to be something that's kind of tricky and we will ask the board to approve a voter approved tax ratification election later on tonight. Does anybody have any questions on that? >> So, right now we're effectively setting the tax rate. >> Yes, sir. >> So, with all of those numbers, it's a 3.9% decrease. >> 3.5. >> Oh, is it? No. Uh technically if the way that it's
026calculated it would give you a total of 3.90 based on u uh the calculation of the direct decrease. The 350 is based on the amount of collections. So it's a little bit different. >> I gota >> um but uh again it's an effective decrease of 4 cents from the previous year. two of those cents from the maintenance and operations which will um make us collect less taxes this year and two from the dent service. >> So just to make things simple, the effective tax rate is going down 4 cents. >> Yes, sir. >> So our taxpayers will see a decrease in their tax rate. >> Thank you. >> Anything else for Alex? on this one. >> What's your pleasure? >> But the motion still states an increase. Is that legal >> sir? >> The motion
027still >> Yes, sir. >> So, unfortunately, and I will say this as politely as I can, our state legislators are great attorneys, but not very good mathematicians. So the fact that it's always a rate increase even if you have a negative number in there has made it very difficult for us to kind of provide a better explanation. >> So we have a negative increase. >> Correct. >> Yep. >> And we will have negative collections which would basically mean that we're going to collect about $150,000 less than we did last year. Right. >> And it does read that way in the motion. >> Yes, sir. Mr. President, I move that the property tax rate be increased by the adoption rate of 1.10140, which is effectively a 3.9% decrease in the tax rate. The tax rate is
028composed of 0.7522 maintenance and operation tax rate and a 0.34920 of debt service rate for a total rate of 1.101400 per 100 of a taxable value. >> I'll second that. >> Okay. It's been moved and seconded that we approve this post property tax rate. Any other questions or comments? >> Yes, sir. Not. Would you cast your votes, please? And it has passed unanimously. Thank you, sir. Okay. Next, we've got the uh submission for the uh appraisal role. >> Yes, sir. And we have submitted to you the appraisal role. We have submitted the um certification letter and the collection letter. Okay. In these items, we present what um Santa Fe um has received as our appraisal role right now, a certified role, which is 2.268 947941. So 2 bill268,947,941 [Music] in valuation for our property within
029our district as a certified value. We still have $158,966,869 that are still under valuation under the ARB, which has not provided us with those certified values, and they're still being fought either in court or through the ARB council. Um with that after calculations we are expecting um the district to be able to um collect on or um provide uh bills for certified values of $2.4 billion. So 2 bill427 million 9114,810. Sorry, I'm trying to get my win, guys. Um, and lastly, we are presenting to you with a 97% tax collection rate. Um, we obviously try um and strive to have a higher collection rate. However, it's sometimes difficult based on uh economic circumstances and the difference is usually made up by our attorneys who then go um after the July deadline and start collecting on
030those properties. um by the end of the year, usually in February, we receive what those updates are of the of the next year and uh we end up roughly collecting about point change percent. So um just to keep it consistent and and knowing that um we will continue to try to make it better. We want to present the board that we we are expecting to collect about 97% of that taxable value. >> Is that a reasonable assumption? >> Uh yes sir. For the past about six years we have had roughly about a 96.9 to a 97.2%. >> Yes. >> So it has averaged out to that roughly 97%. >> Thank you. Yes, sir. >> I move we approve the 2025 appraisal role recognize compliance with the Texas property tax code. >> Second. >> Okay. So,
031been moved and second that we approve the 2025 appraisal role. Any other questions or comments? You cast your votes, please. And it has passed unanimously. Alrighty. Next, we will uh have the joint election contract resolution. >> Yes, sir. Um Galveston County has reached out to us and we have actually been in contact with them since um they are holding elections on November um the 4th this year. Um we have asked them to use the museum as one of our voting centers and we are sharing the cost associated with that with them. Um, since we will be uh asking the board for authorization to um ask for an election for a voter approved tax ratification. Um, we believe that having the voting location for our our taxpayers and our citizens at a location that is closer
032to the county um that we allow them to share that cost with us. And this agreement will allow the board to get into that contract with them. Fairly standard. >> Mr. President, make a motion that we approve the resolution to enter into a joint election with Galveston County and approve the contract for joint election between Santa Fe ISD and Galveston County with Galveston County providing election services. >> Second. >> Okay. It's been moved and seconded that we approve the election resolution. Any other questions or comments? >> Yes, sir. >> Cash your votes, please. This passed unanimously. >> Just a just a quick question. How many uh places will be open >> for the voting location? Yeah. >> Um actually, I don't know at the top of my head, but I know that there's usually because
033it is countywide, there's usually somewhere about 20 locations, if not more. >> No, I was I was curious in our in our domain or our our district here. >> In our district, um on early election, I think we have two locations and I believe the day of election it comes day spring has also joined in. So I believe it's three on the day of voting. So November 4th and early locations is just the museum and the county annex I believe. >> Okay. West county building. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next we have the historical foundation contract. >> Yes sir. We have uh been contracting with the um Santa Fe Historical Foundation uh for the old museum and for them to be able to use it as a historical site. Um they have been working
034with us and they have done a pretty good job at keeping the partnership on their end and um they came forward to us and Dr. Bot to ask if we would bring to the board the renewal for their contract and make it in 10-year terms. This would allow them to remain consistent and have a continuum considering that a lot of their um board or a lot of their uh members actually are reaching an age where it's going to be difficult for them to continue in in in the foundation. So they want to make sure that whatever uh arrangements they make with the district can actually be held for a long term. And uh we believe that the partnership has been well maintained on both ends. So, uh, we wanted to ask the board if the
035board believed that that was a possibility to allow them to extend their contract for 10-year terms. Now, the remaining of the contract will remain the same and we'll allow the board to end if at any point in time the board decides to resend that contract. It could do so at any time with just notice. So, we would ask the board for you to consider and approve the the contract or the updated contract for the Santa Fe Historical Foundation and the district. >> Have a question on insurance. Are they currently carrying insurance? >> Yes, sir. In the contract, we actually state that we have to have a policy covering that and that we are named beneficiaries in case there's actually any type of event that happens >> At their cost. Yes, sir. And are we going
036to increase that over 10 year period or call a million dollars as time goes on >> the policy? >> No limits on the Yeah. The main >> Yes. So, as of right now, I have not u in the contract, we have not actually stated any of those increases, but those can be renegotiated on a yearly basis if need to maintain the the the value of the property. I mean, those who set in on the the contract negotiations, is there any reason why we wouldn't >> say that again? I'm sorry. >> Is there any reason why we wouldn't renew the contract from the standpoint? >> No. Um, technically uh uh and and I'm going to say it as best as I can, but if for any reason or whatnot, 10 years is a long time. At
037that point, the board may be completely changed and it's at the board's prerogative to to continue that contract. So if at any point in time you were to decide and say, "Hey, the old museum needs to be torn down to create something new or different," then the board would have the option to do so. Obviously, we don't believe that to be the case, and this is why we're extending it for a 10-year period, but in case there was ever the need to, we know that the board at this point will have the right to do so. >> They basically want to know as long as they're holding up their end of the bargain that we're good and we can continue a very successful partnership. >> That's That's correct. Basically, they want to say, "Hey, we're
038trying in good faith and we want to make sure that the board has in good faith decided to give us an opportunity to keep this partnership going." >> Yeah, just just a quick comment here. Um, yeah, I've been in the district for 65 years. I know most of the people that are involved with this. They do a great job. I want to thank the uh the administration uh maintenance um and the board uh for so much cooperation with some of the community people regarding this. Um also especially Dr. bot. You've done really well with working with this group and I was on the board back in the 90s and uh um we we got some cooperation from the school district, but um it's really improved and a lot of that is because of the administration,
039Dr. Bot. I just want to say thank you. I want to thank the gentlemen involved and the ones that put all the time and effort and energy and blood and sweat and uh injury reports into this to make it happen. Mr. Bear is determined to make it to his 100th birthday so he can see this contract to fruition and he probably will he's in better shape than most of us. >> Let's hope we're looking at it. So, one thing I didn't see in the contract, and forgive me if I overlooked it, but >> in the event that we needed to use any of the facilities for any reasons for the school use, we have the access to go in at any time. >> Yes. So, um they they are granted the the rights to the
040buildings. So, they can go in there, make changes as needed, and work on there. Obviously, they cannot make any >> sure, >> you know, structural changes without having our maintenance team. Um, and uh um again, I have to review it just to make sure, but I believe that was part of the contract as well. >> Okay. >> Just in the event, say we had to use a gymnasium for whatever reason. >> Correct. Well, um >> at any time, >> the the the gymnasium itself is not a part of the historical. >> That's true. That's true. Um so so it is um allowable to use or and you're talking about the old school museum, correct? I mean the old school gym. >> That's correct, sir. >> Yes. Um they're technically maintain it, >> but we can
041at any time use it as long as obviously we're not tearing it down. >> Understood. Yeah. Apologize for misspeaking. >> No. Yes, sir. >> So we cover all the maintenance on that building, the funds to run the electricity, everything like that. Um, we cover basic maintenance. We do cover the electrical. Um, if there are any changes in there, they they actually provide some funding to kind of go over that and they try to do a lot of that work on their own. Um, so they have made changes and they have made adjustments, excuse me, that um, their foundation has funded. So, um, it is a little give and take. Um, there's times when we work with them and and there's times when when Chris and his team will be up there trying to help them
042as best as they can or sometimes they'll contract out work to try and get it done on their end. So, it's just again it's really depending on on on what the scope of the work is. Um, I know that um what is it AC that's going out right now that they're having to we're trying to reach a a point of negotiation where okay, you guys are going to cover this, we're going to cover that, etc., etc. But for the most part, you know, if it's something small, they'll be able to handle it on their own. If it's something that requires a little or is a little bit more involved, then Chris and his team are usually there to to help. >> I'm just asking cuz our budgets are so tight anyway. >> Yes, sir. >>
043And all we do is keep, you know, make it a little more more difficult on teaching staff and everybody else to make cut costs and everything else. If there have been basic things that we need to cover that are reasonable cost, we have if it's something that's generated from them or improvements that they want to make or upgrades that they really want to make, we've either told them to hold off or we've told them to raise the money >> to to do >> um just to try to try to find them in the medium. But they they're very aware that the students and and and the facilities that we have right now that have students in them take priority over anything that we can do at this store or >> that our students and any
044costs associated with the rebuilding of of of the museum and any of that part is actually secondary to anything that has our students or staff >> and they're very aware of that very understanding. >> It's your pleasure. >> Mr. President, I move to approve the contract with the Santa Fe Historical Foundation. Oh, actually, I'm sorry. I read the wrong action line. I move to approve the facilities agreement with the Santa Fe Historical Foundation. >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded that we approve this agreement with the historical foundation. Any other questions? I cast your votes, please. And it has passed. Okay. Next, you've got the uh order for the voter approved adopted tax rate election. >> Yes, sir. As uh we were speaking earlier when uh we were electing the rate um in the
045state of Texas once the calculations are done in the truth and taxation if the tax rate supersedes what the voter elected tax rate is um we have to automatically trigger an election and we have the board to approve that. Okay. Um because we did cross that threshold even though we are decreasing the tax rate, we are having to ask the board to approve that voter uh um tax ratification election which would happen November 4th of this year. Uh in this uh election, the public will be able to come in and vote on this particular tax rate and make sure that they agree with us accepting that tax rate. Now what this will do is in the future it will allow us to elect those additional pennies without having to go through the uh voters anymore.
046Okay. This year we are uh um taking it to the board but we are asking as well for the use of disaster pennies to cover for our disaster uh from barrel last year. So, >> just to clarify, this is generating more revenue from the state via the disaster pennies or excuse me, via the go not disaster golden pennies, >> but not collecting more from taxpayers. >> No, we're actually collecting less taxes and roughly um it's about $150,000 that we're going to collect less than we did last year. The difference in the collections is actually going to come from the state of Texas. So, which is um a burden that the state will take on and that we won't basically put it onto our taxpayers. >> Yeah. I want to make make sure that everyone knows
047that uh the state is forcing us to use the word increase and that increase is going to be reflected as a negative number to show that we're not actually raising taxes. Uh we're required by the state to use the word increase. Nobody likes it. Uh uh it's almost false advertisement and it's aggravating that we have to uh sit here and approve a ballot language that says increase when actually the tax rate is going down. Um so I I just want to communicate that. >> Yes, sir. The ballot itself will show a negative number. >> Yes. right next to the increase. So >> that same language that we presented earlier with the tax rate >> is going to be showing up on our our taxpayers ballot. So whenever they go into the poll and they see
048it, it's going to say this is a tax rate increase and the rate will increase by a negative 1%. So it's just uh the way that the state of Texas has set the legal ease involved in that so that nobody can actually change any of the language on the ballot. So they standardize it across the board. However, it will be difficult for people to kind of just notice that difference. So it'll be a negative number and also a decrease in in in the collections. >> So in in other ways, >> so you couldn't give a definition to show people what an increased negative number means. And then an example >> not on the ballot. I was going to say we can give >> on the on the ballot. The the language is very specific and
049it has to follow the same principle across the board. At the top of the ballot, there has to be capitalized letters that say this is a tax rate increase. And then on camel case, meaning just regular sentence case, you will see the remaining of the ballot so that you cannot quote unquote mislead the public. Now, within that, >> they're misleading them. >> Correct. uh because it will be a negative number. So, we'll see a negative number in there. So, it's going to make it a little difficult. >> Yep. >> But we can we can put out the facts on on our our district >> published material and we plan to do that and make that as clear as we can on our website to the public. But as far as the actual ballot, no, we
050have no we have no influence over that language. So we we can provide factual information that states that the ballot will show that language and that it will actually be a decrease from the tax rate especially in the maintenance and operation side. But I cannot put that in the ballot. >> I just hope that the people who pay attention to that and actually read those things help to spread the word because last time when we had a no tax increase bond that we went for, people still thought that we were lying because of what the ballot said. >> Yes. And and and it is my belief and again this is personal is that the state made it that way in order for to make it more difficult for school districts and other entities to raise
051bonds out or or to provide for for these voter approved tax elections. Um so that they will confuse the public enough so that they don't know which way is up at that point. >> So Alex, you said that in the language it said this is a tax rate increase. >> Correct. This is a tax increase, >> sir. >> Right here it says it says this is a tax. No, the language in the ballot will say this is a tax increase. >> Tax increase. >> Tax rate increase. >> Sorry. Yes. >> Okay. >> I apologize. >> Well, I mean it makes a difference because our rate is going down, but overall taxes, you know, if you look at from a state standpoint, it would be going up because we're getting more money. Even though not from
052our our district, our our >> No, >> the state's take making up the money though. >> The state will make up the difference. However, we will collect less taxes from our tax. >> I understand that. Yeah. But it's coming from somewhere. >> It would be Yes, it would be coming from somewhere. Obviously, we we can't uh um but it's not a >> the uh lottery money that they have been claiming to give us. >> This is where I'm I'm hoping that that money is coming from. >> Yeah. I just want to make sure. >> Yes, sir. So if you go and appeal that evaluation at the county, I'm talking about the appraisal and your appraisal goes down and the tax rate goes down, you will be paying less taxes >> effectively. Yes. >> Yes. >>
053Or if your if your appraisal remains the same, you're going to pay less. >> That's correct. >> I mean, it it doesn't have to go up. >> Yes, sir. >> And Alex, just for anybody who's listening, at what age do none of these things impact you? So, our 65 and older uh uh population will see no effect on their taxes >> ever. >> Um correct. Now, actually, um and Sarah, you can correct me if I'm wrong, but because we will have to recalculate based on the new homestead exemption, um this tax decrease will actually help them decrease their taxes a little more. So at the end of the day, those 65 and older who have their taxes frozen will potentially see their taxes lower because of that. So again, it just really depends. It shouldn't
054it can't go up. 65 and older will not go up, but they can potentially go down. >> One caveat, that property has to be your homestead. >> Correct. you know, in order for it not to go up, if you have a second home, that that tax >> that that is correct >> has the potential to go up. >> Yes, sir. >> One other question that was sent to me recently. It was a screenshot from social media. It was a question about disaster pennies and how if we were to do this um we could potentially be double dipping. I think some people in the public don't understand how um we can be impacted by a disaster that doesn't actually even happen within our county. So, uh, just a reminder to anybody who's listening, think of something
055like the bird flu. It may not happen here, but the price of chicken still goes up. >> So, when there's fires, the price of lumber goes up. When there's hurricanes, even in Florida, insurance goes up. It happens to everyone. They balance out the expense. >> That That is correct. Now, I will say this, the disaster pennies that we are utilizing at this moment are actually a direct impact to the district. So, this is an actual natural disaster that happened here in our county, which was barrel, and we did receive damage, and Chris was was talking about it earlier today. We're still actually fixing a year later some of the the the roofing that that was damaged back then. Um so uh again that's a direct impact but like you mentioned there's some indirect costs associated
056with that such as the cost of insurance the cost of milk the cost of >> electricity all of these that are associated with events that have cost damage somewhere within our area that has all um contributed to the increase in cost of living that has impacted on the district and the state has yet to fund us or increase our basic a lotment to provide for those basic needs. >> We haven't even talked about what inflation has done to us over the last three or four years. >> That that is correct. Um we have had about 20% inflation since 2018. >> So that has added to that burden >> and and just to underscore this monies that we were asking for uh is is going to include safety. >> Sir, yes. Actually, it's going to be
057one of the priorities to increase um some of our security. Um as you know, there has been some mandates that the state has provided us. Um a lot of those are actually security related and in those areas they have yet to fund us as well. Um either that or they have funded very little. Um and so we we we have have we have to find ways in order for us to be able to afford that and to increase the security. We know that we have good security in our district. However, it's always good to have more. So, we're we're working on that and that's going to be part of that. Um, we're also going to include mental health. Um, so there's going to be uh areas of of wellness counselors joining our team. Um, or
058at least that's what we're hoping um that um will provide some some support for students uh in in the district. Yeah, this this uh with what we're asking for from the voters for approval. Uh in my mind, it's a win-win situation in order to improve safety and among the other things that you talked about. Um um it's it's just a big plus for the district. uh and and because I think the district has shown that especially the last few years that uh we've spent our m money wisely. We've made cuts when we didn't want to have have to make cuts, but we we did anyway to make sure that uh you know we had a balance sheet and then just recently from TEA to get a to get a a um from the state on
059how we're spending our money and um that's that's really great. So, we're not we're not going out to the voters to ask anything that's not uh not reasonable. This is uh and this is very doable. So, I appreciate the language and the time that you spent uh in terms of the ballot and uh that that goes to everybody. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. >> Much pleasure. >> Mr. President, I can make a motion to approve and adopt the order calling November 4, 2025 voter approved tax rate election. Further, that the date to canvas these elections shall be set for no later than November 15th, 2025. >> Second. >> Okay, it's been moved and seconded that we approve the Bader. Any other comments? Can I cast your votes, please? >> I do. We've we've had
060cuts for the last three years because the state's not paying their half. We've improved our scores now with less money, putting more stress on the staff. So, this is a no-brainer for people out there listening. It's not going to do anything now. You're sooner or later. Something's got to give if you don't if we don't get this passed. >> Yes, sir. >> Good point, Mr. Hartenberger. >> Already voted. >> Yeah. Okay. It has been approved unanimously. Thank you, sir. All right. Last one. We have the order calling for the school bond election. >> Yes, sir. Um, we are asking the board to consider and approve calling a bond election to be held the same date, November 4th, 2025. Um, making provisions for the conduct of the election and resolving other matters incident and related to
061such election. This election will include three propositions. Proposition B were 9,725,000 for maintenance and capital PL project projects including repairs and restoration and safety infrastructure additions. Proposition C of 3,130,000 for technology including infrastructure systems and equipment. Proposition D for 4,780,000 which is for the purchasing of school buses and transportation for the district including repairs and upgrades. So we are asking for three additional propositions. This will allow the public to look at what they feel the district needs and make their choice heard. These are basic needs. the capital projects, our basic repairs, things that are needed for the district in order for us to fix some problems here that we believe in the short short term, uh could potentially fail and cause the district some trouble. Um same with the technology. As you know, technology becomes
062obsolete rather fast and as uh um our our our needs become larger, some of this technology needs to be changed and needs to be upgraded. So, we are working on that um as well. And buses and uh transportation, our buses are aging and um you know, they take a toll. I mean, they're being driven quite a large amount um dayto day. So we we we are looking to add additional buses to the fleet so that we can create this rotation on our buses so that they don't get as much damage as um as they would otherwise not having those backups. And we know that there's a couple of buses themselves that are basically reaching the end and uh it's harder for us to find parts. it's harder for us to fix them and it's going
063to get to the point where they'll be just there for basically spares for other buses. So, we're trying to avoid getting to that point where it'll be difficult for our staff to be able to maintain that. >> If I may just speak on a few things real quick to piggy back off that, over the past few years, we've had multiple bond steering committees made up of parents and and stakeholders and community members. All of these propositions in some form or fashion were approved by our parents and community recognizing that these are legitimate needs. And so we've looked at those bonds in the past, whittleled that down to come up what we felt like were um still legitimate needs and then we whittleled that down again to what we would call basic needs. And that's where
064we're at now. And so I think that's an important thing to communicate that all three of these propositions B, C, and D offer absolute basic needs in order for us to maintain just day-to-day functions again at a tax rate decrease. >> That is correct. Even with the approval of all four of the propositions, this would still be a tax rate decrease >> in addition to us just receiving an A on our financials and we have in the funds to pay back said debt. >> Yes, sir. >> Yeah. Once again, this is this is a win-win situation. Um the district doesn't have to come up with a higher tax rate. In fact, it's a >> going to be a a slight decrease >> and then to be funded um with the monies that would purchase school
065buses and improve our technology infrastructure and uh just the general maintenance and safety infrastructure there. It's uh this is sorely needed after not getting money from the state. um uh with uh with increases needed there because of inflation and and other types of situations. So um this is really a good thing uh for the district and uh I would wholeheartedly you know support this and try to influence as many people as we can to to vote for this. So thank you Alex. >> Thank you sir. I just want to add one thing and I know most of you in this room probably know this but everything we've talked about tonight we've had multiple workshops. We've talked about this to no end and I mean this is none of this comes lightly to us. I mean
066but these are just things that we need and everybody in this room knows that we need it. And um I just say we need help and I know y'all need help and we need to do our job to let everybody in in the general public know that you know we're not wasting money. Obviously, you know, that the tea says we're doing a great job with our money, but these are things that we need and we're not just talking about it tonight. We've been talking about it for quite a while. So, that's why we're we're coming to you and telling you that wanting to do it. And I really want to thank y'all for I mean, especially, you know, when we get our rating and and it's so good and we we're working with a balanced
067budget and all the other districts around aren't I mean, it says a lot and I just hope that that our our district knows that. I appreciate all the hard work. >> Thanks, sir. >> With that being said, Mr. President, make a recommendation that the board approve the order calling the school building bond election. >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded that we approve the uh order for the building bond election. Any other questions or comments? I cast your votes, please. It has passed unanimously. And that is it for our regular agenda. Oh, >> thank you, >> Chief. Who's that stranger you've got standing next to you back there? >> Wandered in. I was like, what's the deal? >> Thought you retired. >> I look lost. You look like you're retired. Looks like you're retired.
068>> Yeah. Looks like you're enjoying yourself. Thank you, Gary. Thank you for stopping by. All right, we'll move into a little communication. Mr. Couch, you have anything else you want to add? Yeah, I just wanted to thank all the staff and the teachers um uh for the first couple of weeks here at schools gone really well as well as uh really calling them out for improving the test scores. Um the superintendent I think has a heck of a lot to do with our A rating in terms of financials. He's made uh a lot of tough decisions and brought it to the board and thankfully the board has supported that direction and things have come out very well. So I'm excited about getting this bond passed um with a tax decrease. And uh just on a
069lighter note um don't know how many of you are aware that uh League City American Legion is in the World Series in North Carolina. Um there's several Santa Fe kids playing on that American Legion team. >> Yep. >> Um including one of my neighbors, uh Jackson Higgins. So um they're actually playing right now uh in the semi-finals. If they win tonight, they'll be in the finals tomorrow. ESPNU, you can watch them. Thank you, Mr. Kelly. >> I just congratulations to everybody that, you know, leading up to the last week getting the school district ready for school and everybody for the first good week of school and hope it continues and good job everybody. >> Mr. Davenport. >> Yeah. three uh folks I want to say welcome to Seabbach again. Um number two, transportation is always
070what I judge how the school year's uh starting and and going to proceed and thank you for everything. I haven't heard one thing and haven't seen anything on social media. So um hats off to you. Um and also um Julie, thank you for always taking care of us and making sure that we're compliant. So, uh, but also to every one of y'all, thank you'all so much for being here. Appreciate everything. >> Miss Terenburgger. >> Yes. Thank you, Alex, for that efforts on those taxes. Thank you, Chris, and thank you, Miss Harris, for your update. And congratulations on the scores to you and the staff. And congratulations, Miss Porsche, on your last August board meeting and the countdown to your retirement. So, congratulations Mr. Grassmuck. >> Uh, great start to the school year. Um, good job
071everybody for making that happen. Um, great job everybody for the accountability ratings. I mean, to look at this list and see three of the five categories increased, the two that didn't remain the same. but they didn't really remain the same because the cut points were higher and it was harder. So, in actuality, the ones that remained the same went up also. So, you know, with what was thrown at y'all with the change in cut points and everything else, to see this kind of increase across the board is impressive. Good job. Um, Alex, as everybody's already said, um, finance got an A from the state. Um, I don't know if they still do it, but you might want to check. When I was in high school, Texas City Bowling Alley, if you got an A, they
072gave you a free round. I don't know if they still do that >> really, >> but I I could call them and see if maybe we could get you a free bowling. >> Let's go. >> Free bowling round for getting an A. Um, other than that, uh, Mr. Ryder, we're ready for Friday Night Lights, baby. >> They are, too. >> Let's do it, >> Mr. Lambert. >> Uh, Alex, you can also add Pizza Hut to the list. That was another place where we used to get like free personal pants. >> Yeah. >> Yep. Um, since I'm already uh kind of joking around with Alex a little bit, I just want to say, you know, Alex and his whole team and then everybody in this room, everybody who is in our district, I feel like every
073single rabbit that could be pulled out of a hat to make our funding work has been pulled out of the hat. It's really, really time for us to figure out another way for us to get more funds into the district. And what we talked to you guys about tonight is it um so uh the other thing is too is that you know we always encourage everybody in the community if you have questions call us. Please don't believe everything that you see on social media. Very important to just pick up the phone. A lot of us post our cell phone numbers constantly publicly. Uh that's not injust. We want to hear from people. If you guys see other people who are asking questions or maybe spreading misinformation on social media, don't hesitate to post one of
074our cell phone numbers underneath there and encourage them to call us. We we will definitely talk to them. Um, congratulations on the accountability ratings. Uh, it's it's excellent. I mean, we already are obviously more than happy to advocate for the district. We enjoy it. We love being here. We love representing you guys. It just makes it even that much easier to do it when you see grades like this and you can point it out and say, "Hey, look at what we're doing." Even with those cut points changing. Um, and then last but not least, congratulations to Jackson on the grand slam that he hit. >> That's it. >> Dr. Bot, you're sitting there smiling. You got >> I think y'all hit most of the big things. Just it was a great first week of school,
075great first few days of school. Um, it's always a joy for us to be able to just walk around and and just see the kids and welcome everybody back. But, uh, I promise I'm not mean this in a cheesy way because our our theme this year is heroes, but the only thing missing on these principles back here are capes because they have done amazing. Fantastic. Uh, even Miss Ryan, our AC's been out for the past couple days. She's here. So, I'm really just glad that she doesn't matter. They're going to always find a way to to show up and make it work. But our teachers and staff put in so much blood and sweat and tears and time. They're here all the time working so hard uh to just do what's best for these kids.
076The director in this room works so collaboratively together. Chief, everybody uh just works together to help make sure that the school district is successful. It's great to see Miss Sebach here in her first formal meeting. I'm glad glad Mr. Davenport was able to to notice that. But even though it's preliminary, yes, school district did receive an A rating financially and and uh obviously a h handful of of B's academically. And so, thank you all so much for just all the hard work. looking forward to a great school year. Thank you for everything. >> Thank y'all. Thank each and every one of y'all for being here. Thank you for what you do. Um off to a great start and I think that's important because now that the bar has been set and I think y'all all
077know it and been to several functions and walking around different things and there is a lot of I'm going to call it Indian spirit. There's just a lot of lot of good things and good vibes right now. Um, Coach Ryder, I know you got some kids that are ready to go. For those of you that made it down, they had little scrimmage the other night and they were ready to keep on going and it was very obvious that the other team was just about out of gas. So, uh, good job with that and all the summer programs that all y'all took part in and directed for our kids and everything. And we're just really looking forward to a great year. So, that I will entertain a motion to adjurnn. Make a motion to adjurnn. >>
078Second. >> Okay, it's been moved and seconded that we adjourn. All those in favor, please raise your hand. And we are adjourned. Thank you. Didn't recognize you without being