1. Board calls for bond election
The board unanimously approved a bond election totaling $253 million to be held Nov. 7. If passed by voters, the bond will be used to build a new elementary school and middle school, purchase new school buses, add seat belts to existing buses, upgrade district technology, and renovate district facilities.
2. Tax ratification election timeline
The board reviewed a timeline regarding the district's anticipated tax ratification election, also known as a penny exchange.
When the board approves the 2017-18 budget at its August 15 meeting, the board is expected to increase the district's maintenance and operations tax rate by two cents, which will trigger an election, said Johnny Hill, the district’s assistant superintendent for business, financial and auxiliary services. The district is also expected to decrease its interest and sinking tax rate by the same amount, which would maintain the current tax rate of $1.4075 per $100 valuation, he said.
“A [tax ratification election] would generate an additional $2.1 million for the district,” Hill said. “Overall our taxpayers would not feel any effect from us going up two cents in our maintenance and operations tax rate because we would be going down two cents in our interest and sinking tax rate. The overall tax rate would stay exactly the same.”
He said the $2.1 million generated could offset a loss in state funding over the 2017-18 school year. The district anticipates a loss of $550,000 in additional state aid for tax reduction, or ASATR, and $1.6 million in per capita funding, Hill said.
If the tax ratification election fails Nov. 7, the maintenance and operations tax rate would immediately go back to old rate, he said.
3. New Bee Cave Elementary School principal
Superintendent Brad Lancaster introduced Jennifer Andjelic as the new principal of Bee Cave Elementary School.
Andjelic is returning to LTISD after spending three years as principal of Grandview Hills Elementary School in Leander ISD and the past year as LISD’s executive director of instruction and professional learning, Lancaster said.
Andjelic will begin at Bee Cave Elementary School on July 18.
