BISD confirms two teachers, holds budget workshop

The BISD School Board, meeting for the first time in the new high school library, approves the employment of two new teachers. Van’Go’photo The Buffalo School Board met in special session on Monday evening, August 2. Following an executive session early in the meeting they voted to approve the employment of Cindy Torno and Trey Thomason as new teachers, each on a one-year, probationary contract. In both votes, Trustee Jack Helmcamp cast the lone opposing vote.

The remainder of the meeting was a budget workshop led by Region 6 financial trainers Dale Dixon and Craig Davis. The goal of the meeting was to make sure the Board members understand their legal options for setting a tax rate and adopting the annual budget. Those figures had to be proposed by August 2, published in public meetings, and adopted by August 31.

The Region 6 advisors acknowledged that BISD has had an unusual situation in recent years as property values have roller-coastered up and down. At one point the district's appraisal values were high enough to warrant BISD becoming a Chapter 41 school -- a "giving" school in the state's Robin Hood plan. However, with the decline in gas and oil holdings in area, the district has seen its property values fall $224 Million since the 2008-09 school year appraisal. While discussing fund balances, Dixon stated, "While you were a Chapter 41 you were putting money in the bank, and that was a wise decision. You didn't spend those excess funds so you have it to address current needs."

Dixon also commended the Board on the new high school, stating, "This is an outstanding facility -- a tribute to what you wanted and you stayed after it and got it. I'm proud for the students of the district."

At the end of the meeting the Board voted to propose an M&O Tax Rate of $1.04005/ $100 property value and an I&S Rate of $0.268500, which is an increase of 0.02198 over last year.