LPISD School Board Approves 2010 - 2011 Budget
School board members in a special called meeting August 30th voted to adopt the district’s 2010-11 fiscal plan. As part of the balanced budget, general fund expenditures are projected to total more than $5.2 million.
The district built the budget with student growth in mind, and Superintendent Mr. Ximenez said first day enrollment figures show the district is on track with the student growth that was anticipated due to the district’s “RECOGNIZED” status. As a result, enrollment is up 5% this year over the 2009-10 school year thus far. Last year at this point we had 468 students and currently we have 491 students enrolled and it is only the seventh day of the school year.
On Monday, school board members also approved September 21st at 6:30 pm for the tax rate hearing. The board also voted to give a $500 one-time increase to ALL returning 09-10 staff members on top of the state-mandated step increases for teachers (not part of 2010-11 salary table) for helping to attain the “RECOGNIZED” status.
La Pryor residents were present to provide comments and feedback during the public hearing concerning the budget. Mr. Roberto Velasquez, LPISD business manager, was able to provide detailed explanation of the budget to residents present. The public was also pleased to also hear that ALL students would be eating free due to Provision II status. The public was reminded that all parents are required to turn in a food application as part of this process.
The school board is also expected to approve maintaining the combined tax rate of $1.28 per $100 valuation which is the same rate as last year.
LPISD also plans to look at other ways to generate additional district dollars and save money where they can.
