Board adopts tax rate
91制片厂鈥檚 Board of Trustees meeting on September 5, 2024, is in the books, and here are a few of the highlights. It was a fun meeting because so much of it focused on honoring exceptional students and outstanding partners, and there were a lot of 鈥渇irsts鈥 for this school year.
The meeting started with a new tradition 鈥 a student led the pledge of allegiance. Last night, it was Andrew Steele, a sixth grader from Duff Elementary. He did a great job.
Then the first student performance of the year at a board meeting was done by the Arlington High School chamber orchestra, directed by Dr. Kris Chapman. The students performed a beautiful rendition of “Impravada.”聽
Student Leadership Advisory Board
Following the music, the trustees introduced the students who will serve on the Student Leadership Advisory Board this school year. This group of students are the junior class presidents from each of the six traditional high schools, plus a member from Arlington Collegiate High School and a member from Arlington College and Career High School. They represent students鈥 opinions and provide their voice to the Board of Trustees.
The board also got to honor the first student of the month for this year. It鈥檚 Mikayla Cathcart, a senior at Arlington High. Mikayla excels in everything. She鈥檚 in the top 2% of her class. She鈥檚 a captain on the varsity volleyball team and has been selected all-district for her play and academics. She鈥檚 also a varsity mascot for the school and is a member of the Key Club and National Honor Society. And, oh yeah, she鈥檚 also the student body president. Wow! Congrats Mikayla.
Then the board switched from honoring students to honoring community partners. The trustees presented the first 91制片厂 Community Partner Award of Appreciation of the year to . The church has been an incredible partner for years, from serving as one of the main sponsors of the Back to School Kickoff to their annual 鈥淩ush Week,鈥 when they partner with seven 91制片厂 campuses to help teachers and staff get ready for the new school year. And earlier this month, Rush Creek Church donated $10,000 to Seguin High School to support an on-campus food pantry that will undoubtedly impact many students and families. Thank you, Rush Creek.
After all the fun, there was some business to get to. First, Scott Kahl, 91制片厂鈥檚 chief talent officer, gave an update on districtwide employee recruitment efforts and employee attrition rates. The district has been aggressive in these areas and is making great strides.
Each year the board needs to adopt the school district tax rate, so the trustees did that last night. The tax rate is what provides the revenue for the general operating fund and debt service fund budgets. The rate is based on property values and the Maximum Compressed Rate set by the Texas Education Agency. For the fifth straight year, the board approved a total tax rate that is less than the previous year鈥檚. The new rate is $1.1035 per $100 valuation.
Keeping with finances, the board also approved the annual internal audit plan for fiscal year 2024-2025. It was developed in consultation with the audit advisory committee.
Those are just a few of the highlights from tonight. If you would like more details on any of these, or any of the items not covered in this Board Brief, please to watch the entire meeting.