Sun, 24 Aug 2008 16:00:00

Edgewood ISD Adopts 2.67-Cent Tax Increase

Terry Britt, Staff Writer

EDGEWOOD—School board trustees approved an ad valorem tax rate of $1.1652 per $100 assessed valuation for the 2008-2009 school year.

During a public hearing on the proposed budget and tax rate, Edgewood ISD Superintendent Jack Shellnutt said the 2.67 cents increase in the rate would mean a tax bill increase of about $22.70 on a $100,000 property.

"This will generate something over $40,000 to the school district, which isn’t a lot, but it will also generate more state dollars," Shellnutt said.

The new budget, also adopted at Monday’s meeting, totals $8,596,287. Of the new tax rate, $1 will go to the maintenance and operation side of the budget, while the remaining money will go into interest and sinking.

Those divisions of the tax rate were approved unanimously in separate motions.

In other matters, the school board took the following action:

— Adopted a resolution approving the budgeting of a .39 percent higher budget in Nursing Services than recommended by the Texas Education Agency’s Target Expenditures.

— Adopted the Van Zandt County Special Education Cooperative SSA 2008-2009 budget as presented.

— Approved an extension of the district’s property, casualty, liability and auto insurance with Hibbs-Hallmark for $40,581.

— Approved a guaranteed maximum price of $1,903,768 for the 2008 additions and renovations project. That total includes one construction alternative of adding air conditioning to the new weight room building,

— Accepted donations of $485 from Azalea Sports Clinic and $150 from James and Carol Hooks in memory of J. Tuma, L. Barber and J. Knowles.

— Approved a resolution for adjunct faculty status for the Van Zandt County Extension Office.

— Approved recognition of the Van Zandt 4-H program as an extracurricular activity.

— Approved the Van Zandt Special Education SSA Agreement for the 2008-2009 school year.

— Adopted a resolution of participation in the Disciplinary Alternative Education Program in Grand Saline ISD.

— Approved a quote from Audio Visuals for $67,161.12 for 50 ELMOS (digital visual presenters), projectors and accessories for teachers.

— Approved a purchase of 35 computers, monitors and accessories from CDW-G for $25,035.

— Approved the security audit for the district.

— Accepted letters of resignation from Fred Haze and Cheri Waggoner from the Van Zandt County Special Education Cooperative SSA.

— Approved a letter of resignation from Neta Shellnutt.

— Hired Amy Martin as a teacher on a probationary contract, and Linda Freeman and Glenda Creed on probationary contracts for the Van Zandt County Special Education Cooperative SSA.