School Raises Tax Rate
At a special meeting Aug. 29, the GCISD board accepted a 2005-2006 budget, which projects expenditures of $8,552,633 and revenues of $8,515,965. They also set a tax rate of $1.46 per $100 valuation. Last year’s rate was $1.42 and the effective rate (the rate needed to raise the same dollars as last year) was $1.40. School Superintendent Steve Long said the school district needs to maximize the tax rate to keep up with state requirements.
The board also voted to submit a bid for purchase of a house, with board member Diane Havlak opposed. Neither the house’s location nor the amount of the bid was discussed in the open meeting.
On Sept. 12, the board discussed the results of the district’s status on the 2003-2004 Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST). The school achieved the highest rating of Superior, failing only one of the 21 indicators. The failed indicator was that the percent of operating expenditures expended for instruction was less than 54 percent.
Long said the problems with a child’s peanut allergies have been taken care of with some changes in the cafeteria and in the child’s homeroom. He said no other changes are necessary.
Elementary school enrollment is 155, in junior high, 46 and in high school, 84.