Patrons of the Raymondville and Houston School Districts will see a reduction in the school levy for the upcoming tax year.
Both districts will drop by about a dime per $100 assessed valuation. That translates into a savings of about $14 for the owner of a $75,000 home, whose home’s value hasn’t changed from last year.
Houston’s levy is $3.55. Raymondville’s rate is $3.4673.
Members of the Houston board of education during a meeting Monday set the general fund rate at $2.75, which is nine cents below last year’s figure. It also set its debt service rate at 80 cents; the state auditor’s office said the rate could have been as high as $1.02.
Dr. Dan Vandiver, superintendent, said the board’s decision translates into 22 cents that was allowed, but members decided not to pass along to taxpayers.
The general fund decrease is sparked by an increase in assessed valuation. The county assessor’s office conducted a parcel-by-parcel review of property in the county that resulted in increases for some property owners. Later, the State Tax Commission ruled that the value of residences on the books didn’t reflect the actual market price and ordered a hike.
Summersville’s levy is nearly unchanged from the previous year at $2.9749. The Success School is calculated at $2.75, which is unchanged from the previous year.
In other matters before the Houston school board, members:
-Recognized Joe Montgomery, transportation director, for a 100 percent pass rate during a state bus inspection. It’s the 11th year in a row that Houston has a perfect score.
-Learned more about a district-wide initiative to improve writing skills. Vandiver said teachers are receiving ongoing training that should result in a more consistent approach to teach writing from room to room and grade level to grade level. He said research supports that improving writing results in increased performance in virtually every other academic area.
-Accepted a $391,000 bid from JAJ Construction for roofing renovation and repairs to the high school gym building and Houston Middle School. Work will begin in a few weeks.
-Discussed changing a policy related to employees who resign late in the year. Under the proposal, resignations between the last of school and the end of May would be charged $500. Those leaving in June would pick up a tab of $1,000. A charge of $1,500 would apply in July.
-Approved allowing the Houston Tiger Booster Club to sell all-season passes for home athletic events with the exception of postseason play. Students passes are $25; adults, $50; and families, $75.
-Accepted the resignation of Jennifer Scott, paraprofessional. Laurie Hausmen was employed as special education paraprofessional.
-Okayed the substitute teacher list for the year.