Hutto ISD hires Raul Pena as new superintendent
Hutto ISD officials hired Raul Pena to lead the district as its next superintendent Aug. 31.
What happened
HISD trustees voted unanimously to select Pena, Fort Worth ISD's chief talent officer, as the next superintendent to lead HISD, following the departure of former Superintendent Celina Estrada Thomas.
Hutto ISD sets tax rate for 2023-24 budget year
Hutto ISD trustees voted to adopt a district tax rate of $1.20750 per $100 valuation for fiscal year 2023-24 at an Aug. 24 meeting.
The overview
The rate breaks down into on a $0.7575 maintenance and operation rate, which is used to fund most district operations, and a $0.45 interest and sinking rate used to service debt.
The $1.20750 rate is a $0.1854 decrease from the FY 2022-23 rate of $1.3929.
District officials originally proposed a rate of $1.3057, but the lower tax rate is still expected to support this year's budget.
Hutto ISD elects to staff additional police to satisfy HB 3 requirements
Hutto ISD will expand the its police department with nine new officers to comply with a state law requiring armed school officers at Texas public and charter schools.
What's happening?
HISD trustees moved to approve a measure to expand the department to comply with House Bill 3, a law requiring armed security guards on all Texas public and charter schools, which will go into effect Sept. 1. HISD police Chief William Edwards previously said the district had a few options to meet this requirement, ranging from simply expanding the police department so an armed officer is on each campus to contracting with third-party services or individuals with the appropriate certifications necessary to carry a firearm on campus.
