SCUCISD's board of trustees unanimously approved the selection of firm Patillo, Brown & Hill to conduct a district efficiency audit May 15.
The efficiency audit of the district is an investigation into operations and fiscal management of a school district, and is needed to move forward with VATRE discussion, according to agenda documents.
Why it matters
A VATRE is required when a school board adopts a tax rate that exceeds the district’s voter-approval tax rate, according to the Texas Association of School Business Officials. Passage of a VATRE allows for the district to add revenue via enrichment pennies.
Chief Financial Officer Brian Moy said the efficiency audit is "less intense" than the district's annual financial audit. Although there has not been a formal vote going on for a VATRE in the fall, the audit allows the district to get "ahead of the timeline," Moy said.
During an April 3 budget workshop, Superintendent Paige Meloni said that potential pursuit of VATRE revenue would be to keep staff salaries in line with what other districts are offering.
“We have been fiscally conservative ... but now has come the time that we really need to ask for a little bit more money than what the state is giving us,” Meloni said.
Next steps
The district is anticipated to receive efficiency audit results by Oct. 3. If the district were to call a VATRE, a budget and tax rate meeting would be held in August, then an election would be held in November, according to the presentation.
