School board OKs proposed tax rate, orders bond election for Nov. 5 bond election

The proposed 2024 tax rate was approved by the Hallettsville ISD Board of trustees along with holding a bond election at its regular monthly meeting Monday evening.

The proposed tax rate is 88.883¢ per $100 valuation. This total includes 66.92¢ for maintenance and operations and 21.93¢ district debt service.

Maintenance and operations is 3.64¢ the same as last year, debt service an increase of 4.63¢ and total expenditures an increase of 3.77%.

The board will hold a public hearing on the 2024 tax rate Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 6 p.m.

The board ordered a bond election on Tuesday, Nov. 5 and will encompass a gym/multi purpose facility by the football field at a cost of $25,956,000.

The board tabled the purchase of a mower for the softball and baseball fields.

The board discussed the purchase of a lawn mower for the baseball and softball field and custodian services, but no action was taken on either.

The board received the 2024 tax appraisal roll from Lavaca County Tax Assessor-Collector Deborah Sevcik.

The total taxable is $1.055 billion.

New staff members for the 2024-25 school year was introduced to the board.

Elementary school: Janet Brewster, Desiree Carpenter, Kaci Clark, Emily Drummond, Stephanie Muehr, Amanda Serold, Taylor Rainosek and Kara Steward.

Junior high: Caitlin Dreitner, Emily Dvorak. High school: Ashley Albrecht, Greg Bagby, Mark Cleveland, Stephanie Janak, Logan Lisenbea, Brooke Mathews, Courtney Olbert, and Rylan Schindler.

Maintenance: Keith Opela.

Transportation; Megan Waddell.

Child Care Center: Kathy Smolik and Tammy Lesak.

Finance Report:

• The district has collected 97.68% of the 2023 taxes with year-todate collections $8.21 million. The original roll was $9.03 million.

• The general operating balance was $67,269.09 at the end of July. The total available cash was $6.48 million.

• Last month’s bills totaled $857,529.56.