BRENHAM SCHOOL BOARD TO CONSIDER EFFICIENCY AUDIT FOR POSSIBLE TAX RATE ELECTION

  

The Brenham School Board will hold a special meeting on Tuesday to potentially take the next step in exploring a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE).

The board will act on selecting an auditor to conduct an efficiency audit for the district and authorize the signature of an audit engagement letter. 

During the board’s most recent meeting on Wednesday, trustees were told that the efficiency audit, costing $15,000, is needed in order to further discuss the VATRE.  The board is considering that path to improve teacher and staff salaries.

Chief Financial Officer Darrell St. Clair said on Wednesday that raising the district’s maintenance and operations (M&O) tax rate by 3 cents per $100 valuation, combined with new state revenue approved by legislators, could give the district an extra $2 million to use for pay raises and day-to-day operational expenses.  Superintendent Clay Gillentine said taxpayers would not be negatively impacted, as November’s constitutional amendment election is expected to result in the passage of increased homestead exemptions. 

The board will meet Tuesday at noon in the Brenham ISD Administration Office.  The meeting will be livestreamed on Brenham ISD’s YouTube channel.