BRENHAM SCHOOL BOARD RECEIVES BUDGET UPDATE

  

Brenham School Trustees received an update in their meeting Monday evening on next year’s budget from Director of Business & Finance Kim Weatherby.  She said the budget is still in a state of flux as the effects from the just completed legislative session are calculated.  Local property values also still need to be certified, but she did say that the local tax rate should go down from its current $1.04 to $.97 per $100 valuation.  Weatherby noted that the legislature will be funding 45 thousand dollars in new safety and security measures in the district as well as 700 thousand dollars towards early education.  She said the district is still working on employee pay increases for next year but that they are looking at a 5% increase on base pay this year instead of mid-point pay as was done in previous years. This would reward teachers with more experience, which is the intent of House Bill 3.

Brenham Superintendent Dr. Walter Jackson presented a quick recap of the legislative session.  He noted that Senate Bill 2 will provide an increased contribution to the teacher pension fund, Senate Bill 11 will provide funding for Safety and Security, and Senate Bill 21 raises the smoking age from 18 to 21.

The Board recognized Brenham Middle School teacher Sue Anderson as teacher of the year in the district.  It also recognized Misty Johnson as Para-professional of the year.  Dr. Walter Jackson was honored as the Region 6 Superintendent of the year by John Conley from the Region 6 office.

In other action:

The board accepted a $1500 donation from the Alton Elementary School PTO that will be used to purchase an ice machine.

Received an update from Dr. Heather Thielemann on the Brenham Game Changers organization

Renewed a 5 year contract with UBEO Business Services for copier services which will provide the district with new copiers

Nominated board president Natalie Lange as a delegate for the 2109 Texas Association of School Boards convention.