BRENHAM SCHOOL BOARD DISCUSSES BOND PROJECTS AT KRAUSE ELEMENTARY, UPS PURCHASING THRESHOLD, PROPOSES TAX RATE

  

A busy meeting on Monday for the Brenham School Board included updates on repairs at Krause Elementary School as part of the school bond project, increasing the threshold for purchases that can be made without board approval, and setting the proposed tax rate for next school year.

During the bond project report, Rice & Gardner principal-in-charge Eric DiPasquale said emergency repairs are needed for a failed air handler unit that services the gymnasium and cafeteria at Krause Elementary School.  The proposal selected to fix the unit is from Brazos Air Tech for $42,392 using bond proceeds, with DiPasquale citing the need for expedited parts in order to get work underway in early August and ensure the unit is ready for the start of classes.   

DiPasquale said flooring repairs are also needed at the campus, but those will not be able to happen until the Thanksgiving or winter break, due to the extent of the work needed.

Later, trustees authorized a monthly payment structure to Rice & Gardner for program management services in relation to the bond project.  Monthly payments of $62,708 will be made through bond funds for 28 months, or until the project is complete.  DiPasquale said Rice & Gardner is not looking to work longer than it needs to and wants to make sure Brenham ISD gets “the biggest bang for your buck.”

In action related to the bond, the board approved a local policy update, with one notable adjustment raising the threshold for purchases that can be authorized without needing a vote from trustees, from $35,000 to $50,000.  Superintendent Clay Gillentine said Brenham ISD has not increased the threshold since 2008, and many surrounding districts are already at the $50,000 mark.  He also said the increased limit will help keep things moving during times of emergency, such as with the HVAC repairs at Krause Elementary School.

Also at the meeting, the board agreed to set the proposed tax rate at $0.70 for maintenance and operations (M&O) and $0.08 for interest and sinking (I&S).  The final M&O tax rate is expected to fall below what was proposed, due to state compression requirements, and the proposed rate is higher in case of any changes in state calculations.

Chief Financial Officer Darrell St. Clair said the district is expecting to have a certified maximum compressed M&O rate from the Texas Education Agency of $0.6070, which is 14 hundredths of a penny less than the current maximum compressed rate of $0.6084.  Combined with the five cents extra that are authorized by the board and the additional three cents passed by voters through the Voter Approval Tax Rate Election, the highest expected M&O rate would be $0.6870.  That, plus the $0.08 for I&S, which is unchanged from the current level, would lead to a tax rate of $0.7670 per $100 valuation. 

A public hearing on the proposed tax rate and budget will be held during the board’s next regular meeting on Monday, August 17^th.