Hallsville ISD trustees are considering the adoption of a balanced 2023-24 budget and a lower property tax rate.
The proposed budget for the district features a total tax rate of 79.82 cents per $100 valuation compared with the current tax rate of $1.0064 per $100 valuation.
The proposed total 2023-24 budget of $207.36 million is a decrease of about $6.84 million compared with the 2022-23 adopted total budget of $214.2 million.
Since the passage of a $55 million bond in 2019, Hallsville ISD has constructed a new elementary campus and a performing arts center at the high school and has updated district facilities, parking lots, roads and its bus fleet.
The proposed budget for 2023-24 includes the purchase of two new school buses at an estimated cost of $250,000. The district is also considering updates to the long-range facilities and maintenance plan. No budget cuts for equipment or programs are part of the proposed budget.
The Hallsville ISD school board is considering several compensation and benefit options. Assistant Superintendent of Finance Mary Brown discussed the impact of uncertainty surrounding legislative special sessions and how the district is preparing to accommodate potential finance laws.
性视界传媒淒ue to the lack of any new school finance legislation or additional state funding from the closed regular legislative session in the spring, and with reports of a likely third special session to be called later this fall, it is presently unknown exactly what school finance law will go into effect for the fiscal year, and what that law might mandate for school district salaries and other spending,性视界传媒 Brown said.
A public budget hearing is set 5:30 p.m. Monday in the Hallsville ISD Board Room at 300 Willow St.
The board also is scheduled to vote on the budget the same day during the regularly scheduled school board meeting at 6:30 p.m.
