Forsan Independent School District Business Manager Dianna Walker said the school district is eyeing a $12 million budget for the coming year which will be fueled by a tax rate of $1.08 per $100 property valuation.
The $12 million in expenditures are a sharp increase from last year’s figure of $9.3 million, mainly because of an increase in the amount of money FISD has to send to the state as part of the “Robin Hood” equity program. This coming year, Forsan will be required to send $2.45 million to the state, compared to $936,000 a year ago, Walker said.
Other major expenditures include the normal “step” pay increases for teachers. Other personnel will receive a pay raise equal to 3 percent of the midpoint of their pay grade, she added. In addition, the school district plans to absorb recent increases in health insurance for Schedule 1 employees (those who are insuring themselves only).
The district will also absorb a loss of $300,000 in state funding this coming fiscal year, Walker noted.
The good news for the district is that an increase in property valuations of almost $300 million will allow FISD to shave 2 cents off its tax rate and still bring in the revenue it needs for operations
The new budget and tax rate will be formally adopted Aug. 28, Walker said.
In other business, trustees will consider:
• Insurance supplements.
• The teacher appraisal calendar for the coming school year.
• Personnel matters.