Aug 21, 2023 School Board

[00:00:03]

GOOD AFTERNOON. WE'LL CALL THIS REGULAR MEETING OF THE CARROLL ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO ORDER ON AUGUST 21ST, 2023, AT 5 P.M.

[1. CALL TO ORDER AND ESTABLISH QUORUM]

THEREFORE, WE WILL ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551 .071, 551.072,

[2. EXECUTIVE SESSION]

ALL RIGHT. GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.

WE'LL CALL THIS MEETING BACK TO ORDER AT 6 P.M..

OUR FIRST AGENDA ITEM IS THE PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE AND A MOMENT OF SILENCE.

[3. PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE/MOMENT OF SILENCE]

HELLO, DR. LEDBETTER AND BOARD.

I DO. I HAVE A FEW STUDENTS HERE, AND THEY ARE GOING TO GET UP AND THEY'RE GOING TO SAY THEIR NAME, WHAT GRADE THEY'RE IN AND WHY THEY'RE PROUD TO BE A DRAGON.

AND THEY'RE SUPER NERVOUS ABOUT THIS TOO.

UM, MY NAME IS CARSON CALVERT, AND I'M A FIFTH GRADE.

I'M PROUD TO BE A DRAGON BECAUSE WE GET LUNCH.

ALL RIGHT. I'M GONNA STAND RIGHT THERE.

MY NAME IS HARPER CALVERT.

I'M IN FIFTH GRADE, AND I'M PROUD TO BE A DRAGON BECAUSE I GET TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS.

MY NAME IS EMMA BARNETT.

I'M IN FIFTH GRADE, AND I'M PROUD TO BE A DRAGON BECAUSE MY MOM'S A TEACHER.

I'M ABBY CUNNINGHAM, AND I'M IN FIFTH GRADE, AND I'M GLAD TO BE A DRAGON BECAUSE MY MOM IS THE PRINCIPAL.

AND SHE MY NAME IS MJ AUGUSTIN, I'M IN SIXTH GRADE AND I'M PROUD TO BE A DRAGON BECAUSE WE HAVE GREAT TEACHERS WHO LET US BE CREATIVE.

NOW TIME FOR THE PLEDGES.

PLEASE RISE.

AND NOW A MOMENT OF SILENCE.

I MAY BE SEATED.

WE DID PRACTICE.

I PROMISE YOU GUYS.

GREAT JOB, STUDENTS. THANK YOU, MISS SHUTLER.

ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT.

[4. RECOGNITIONS]

ITEM FOUR A, WE ARE RECOGNIZING THE GATORADE PLAYER OF THE YEAR, COACH KEASLER.

NOT THAT NOT THE GATORADE PLAYER OF THE YEAR.

YOU'RE CORRECT. I'M GOING TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT GETTING LUNCH, THOUGH.

WELL, TONIGHT IS.

THANK YOU, BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND DOCTOR LEDBETTER FOR HAVING US.

THIS IS I LOVE COMING UP HERE AND TALKING ABOUT OUR KIDS.

AND TONIGHT IS A SPECIAL HONOR.

WE DON'T SEE THIS VERY OFTEN, BUT I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE OUR TEXAS STATE GATORADE 2022 AND 2023 GATORADE PLAYER OF THE YEAR, KENNEDY FULLER.

THIS LITTLE FIVE FOOT FIVE SOPHOMORE MIDFIELDER SCORED 55 GOALS AND 26 ASSISTS, LED OUR DRAGONS TO 26 AND ONE. SHE WAS A TWO TIME DALLAS MORNING NEWS PLAYER OF THE YEAR.

SHE IS RANKED AS THE NUMBER SEVENTH RECRUIT IN THE 2024 CLASS AND ALSO SHE HAD A TOTAL OF 81 GOALS AND 41 SETS IN THE ENTIRE SEASON.

NOT ONLY IS SHE AN AMAZING ATHLETIC PLAYER, SHE MAINTAINS AN A MINUS IN THE CLASSROOM AND SHE IS VERBALLY COMMITTED TO PLAY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA.

SHE ALSO GIVES BACK TO CARROLL AND OUR COMMUNITY.

[00:05:02]

SHE'S PART OF OUR FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES.

AND SHE'S A MEMBER OF OUR WHITE'S CHAPEL YOUTH GROUP.

AND TO BE QUITE HONEST WITH YOU, MET HER, SHE'S JUST REALLY A COOL GIRL.

AND I IT'S IT'S A TRUE HONOR TO BE HERE.

SHE'S BEEN AWAY ALL SUMMER.

IF YOU EVER YOU NEED TO ASK HER ABOUT HER STORY, IT'S PRETTY AMAZING.

SHE'S BEEN JUST GOT BACK FROM FOR ABOUT A MONTH TRAVELING AND HER AND HER FAMILY AND BEING WITH OUR OLYMPIC TEAM AND BEING ABLE TO BE PART OF THAT.

BUT I WOULD SAY THAT SHE MIGHT TRY CHANGE HER JERSEY TO FROM DRAGONS TO NORTH CAROLINA TO KEEP AN EYE ON HER.

IT MAY HAVE A USA ACROSS HER CHEST ONE DAY.

SO I'M SUPER HAPPY THAT SHE'S HERE AND I THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING HER.

AND AT THIS TIME, I'M GOING TO BRING COACH COLEMAN UP, WHICH HE'S GOING TO BRAG AND SAY THAT HE MADE HER WHO SHE IS.

BUT I THINK THAT MAYBE HE HELPED.

MAYBE HE HELPED. I'VE ALREADY WORKED DON'T GET IN THE WAY.

I'VE ALREADY WORKED MY NIL DEAL WITH KENNEDY WHEN IT'S TIME.

SO SHE'LL BE REPORTING TO ME WHEN IT'S TIME.

NO, KENNEDY. WHY DON'T YOU COME UP HERE? LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, GATORADE PLAYER OF THE YEAR.

[APPLAUSE] DO YOU WANT TO TAKE A PICTURE? YEAH. I THOUGHT COACH WAS MAKING COMMENTS.

YEAH, I'LL SAY A COUPLE WORDS.

SO, KENNEDY, I'D LIKE TO SAY SHE'S A GENERATIONAL TALENT.

SHE DOESN'T. PLAYERS LIKE HER DON'T COME AROUND VERY OFTEN.

SHE REALLY EXEMPLIFIES COMPETITION ON THE ON THE PITCH DURING GAMES AND ALSO IN PRACTICE.

AND SHE RAISES THE LEVEL OF THOSE AROUND HER AND HER LEADERSHIP ABILITIES AGAIN, PULLING THE BEST OUT OF PEOPLE.

AND SHE'S ALWAYS THERE TO SERVE HER TEAMMATES IN ANY WAY THEY NEEDED TO BE.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO SAY ALSO ON THIS, IF YOU GET A CHANCE, WE HAVE A COPY.

I'M SURE KENNEDY IS TAKING THAT ONE HOME.

BUT THE LIKES OF KOBE BRYANT, LEBRON JAMES, AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

AND IT'S REALLY KIND OF COOL TO SEE HER NAME UP THERE OR ON THERE WITH WITH THOSE TYPES OF ATHLETES.

SO CONGRATULATIONS, KENNEDY IT'S WELL DESERVED.

CONGRATULATIONS.

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN, KENNEDY.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

AT THIS TIME, WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE OUTGOING TRUSTEE HANNAH SMITH WITH THIS PLAQUE THAT READS, IN RECOGNITION AND APPRECIATION FOR YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE AND DEDICATION TO THE STUDENTS AND STAFF OF CARROLL ISD.

MANY OF YOU RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM ME ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE BOARD ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 11TH, ANNOUNCING MS..

SMITH'S RESIGNATION.

I WOULD LIKE TO READ THAT EMAIL FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT HAVE RECEIVED IT OR HAVE NOT HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO READ IT YET.

AND IT GOES LIKE THIS. DEAR DRAGON FAMILIES.

AS YOU MAY HAVE HEARD, OUR BOARD RECENTLY RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF RESIGNATION FROM TRUSTEE HANNA SMITH AS SHE HAS ACCEPTED A NEW JOB OPPORTUNITY OUTSIDE OF SOUTHLAKE. WE WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK HANNAH FOR HER DEDICATION TO CARROLL ISD DURING HER TENURE AS A TRUSTEE.

WE RECOGNIZE HER COMMITMENT TO THE DISTRICT AND THE WORK SHE HAS DONE TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD ON A PATH OF EXCELLENCE.

SHE WILL BE MISSED AND WE WILL LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR HER.

OUR COMMUNITY IS A BETTER PLACE FOR HAVING BEEN SERVED BY TRUSTEE SMITH.

ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, WE WISH HER WELL.

MISS SMITH'S RESIGNATION WILL GO INTO EFFECT ON AUGUST 15TH.

WE WILL INVITE HER TO JOIN US AT THIS AUGUST 21ST BOARD MEETING IN ORDER TO HONOR HER AND WISH HER WELL, IN HER NEW ENDEAVORS.

[00:10:04]

WE WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED AS WE CONSIDER THESE OPTIONS AT A FUTURE BOARD MEETING.

THANK YOU, HANNAH.

[5. PUBLIC COMMENTS]

AND MS.. SHELTON, WE HAVE NO PUBLIC COMMENTS, IS THAT CORRECT? WE HAVE NO PUBLIC COMMENTS THIS EVENING.

OKAY. WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER SIX, WHICH IS CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ANY MATTERS ADDRESSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

[6. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ANY MATTERS ADDRESSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION]

MR. BRYANT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE BOARD APPROVE A FINDING IN ACCORDANCE WITH TEXAS EDUCATION CODE 21.2 10C AND 19 TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE SECTION 249 .14 J.

THAT GOOD CAUSE DOES NOT EXIST FOR TEACHER KEISHA CARTER'S ABANDONMENT OF HER PROBATIONARY CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT, ABANDONMENT OF HER POSITION AND ATTEMPT TO RESIGN FROM CARROLL ISD WEEKS AFTER THE RESIGNATION DEADLINE FOR THE 23-24 SCHOOL YEAR.

I MOVE THAT THE BOARD ISSUE A FINDING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TEXAS EDUCATION CODE SECTION 21.21C2 AND 19 TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE 249. 14 J.

THAT GOOD CAUSE DOES NOT EXIST FOR KEISHA CARTER, A TEACHER ON A PROBATIONARY CONTRACT TO ABANDON HER EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT, ABANDON HER POSITION AND ATTEMPT TO RESIGN FROM CARROLL ISD WEEKS AFTER THE RESIGNATION DEADLINE.

SECOND. ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES 6 TO 0.

THANK YOU, TRUSTEE YEAGER.

ITEM SIX B IS CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING NOTIFICATION TO THE TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION DIVISION OF CONTRACT ABANDONMENT BY TEACHERS.

PRESIDENT BRIAN AND TRUSTEES.

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE BOARD SUBMIT THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY 19 TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE 249.14 J TO THE TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION DIVISION SEEKING SANCTIONS FOR KEISHA CARTER'S ABANDONMENT OF HER EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT.

I MOVE THAT THE BOARD AUTHORIZE THE BOARD PRESIDENT TO SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION DIVISION SEEKING SANCTIONS AGAINST KEISHA CARTER, A PROBATIONARY CONTRACT TEACHER FOR ABANDONMENT OF HER EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT WITH CARROLL ISD.

SECOND, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES 6 TO 0.

THANK YOU, TRUSTEE YEAGER.

ITEM SIX C IS CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON SUPERINTENDENT'S CONTRACT.

WE ARE GOING TO TABLE THAT ITEM TO OUR NEXT MEETING, SEPTEMBER 11TH, AND WE HAVE NO OTHER ACTIONS TO TAKE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE SESSION.

SO WE WILL MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER SEVEN, WHICH IS A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE CARROLL ISD PROPOSED BUDGET AND TAX RATE.

[7. PUBLIC HEARING TO DISCUSS 2023-2024 BUDGET AND PROPOSED TAX RATE]

MR. JOHNSON. THANK YOU, PRESIDENT BRIAN.

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, DOCTOR LEDBETTER.

WE'LL START WITH A SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED TAX RATES.

WE'LL GO THROUGH THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET, THE DEBT SERVICE FUND BUDGET, A REQUIREMENT BY THE TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY TO DISCUSS CURRENT YEAR VALUES AND OTHER ISSUES CURRENTLY WE'RE EXPERIENCING. THEN AN APPENDIX OF THE STATE CONTROLLER TAX RATE CALCULATIONS ARE REQUIRED, PART OF THE BUDGET ADOPTION PROCESS.

SO I'M GOING TO START WITH THE PROPOSED TAX RATE.

AND I GAVE A THREE YEAR LOOK SO THAT THE BOARD AND THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC COULD SEE WHAT OUR TAX RATE HAS DONE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

WE'VE GONE FROM $1.26 TO $1 2188, AND THIS YEAR WILL BE $1 2.1.0025, WHICH IS A 21 AND 63 PENNY REDUCTION OVER THE 2223.

AND THAT IS LARGELY DRIVEN BY THE RECENT LEGISLATION THAT PASSED ON JULY 13TH AND IS SUBJECT TO THE ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.

IT'S A 17.75% REDUCTION IN THE TAX RATE.

YOU WILL NOTICE THAT THE CHANGES IN THE M AND O RATE THE INTEREST IN SINKING TAX RATE IS PROPOSED TO BE THE SAME.

I'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE INTEREST IN SINKING TAX RATE AND THE ASSOCIATED DEBT THAT THAT PAYS AND THE DEBT DEFEASANCE PLAN IN ANOTHER PRESENTATION.

THIS IS A SCHEDULE THAT IS PART OF THE TAX RATE CALCULATION, AND IT'S MEANT TO ILLUSTRATE WHAT THE TRUE TAX RATE IS WITH NO NEW REVENUE RATE.

I DON'T WANT TO GO TOO FAR DOWN THAT ROAD, BUT THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE IS WHAT IS TYPICALLY USED IN A YEAR, THAT THERE'S A TAX INCREASE, EVEN THOUGH THERE MAY BE A TAX DECREASE IN THE ACTUAL RATE.

THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE IS WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO GENERATE THE SAME AMOUNT OF TAXES IN THE CURRENT YEAR BASED ON THE PRIOR YEAR VALUES ADJUSTED.

SO WHEN WE LOOK AT THE ACTUAL NO RATES ON $100,000 HOME AND I THINK FOR SOUTHLAKE, IT'S PROBABLY APPROPRIATE TO MOVE THAT COMMA OVER AND HAVE $1 MILLION.

[00:15:09]

THIS YEAR. THE PROPOSED TAX RATE IS 6725.

AND SO FOR $100,000 HOME, IT'S $2,160, $216.30.

AGAIN, IF WE CHANGE THAT, REALLY THE SOUTHLAKE HOMES ARE A LITTLE BIT BELOW THAT ON AVERAGE TAXABLE THROUGHOUT THE THROUGHOUT THE CITY OR THROUGHOUT THE ISD.

SO REALLY THAT'S ABOUT A $2,163 REDUCTION IN THE TAX RATE.

AND AGAIN, THAT'S BASED ON LEGISLATION FROM JULY 13TH, BUT IT'S ALSO BEEN IN STATUTE SINCE THE 86 LEGISLATURE HAMMERED THE GAVEL ON THAT, WHICH IS THE MAXIMUM COMPRESSED RATE GOES DOWN BY OPERATION OF TAX VALUE INCREASES.

SO A COMBINATION OF THE TWO, BUT IT'S A 24.34% REDUCTION IN THE RATE SIMPLY ON THE M & O COMPONENT ITSELF.

THIS IS THE SUMMARY OF THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET.

BY FUNCTION, IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT VIEW.

WE HAVE TO INCLUDE RECAPTURE AND THE TIFF, EVEN THOUGH EVEN THOUGH IN MY PREVIOUS PRESENTATIONS, I NETTED THAT AGAINST REVENUE BECAUSE IT'S REALLY NOT AN EXPENDITURE, IT IS A GRABBING BACK OF MONEY BASED ON THE CALCULATION BY TEA OR BASED ON THE STATE FUNDING CALCULATION. SO I ALWAYS NETTED AGAINST REVENUE BECAUSE THAT IS MORE SUBSTANTIVELY CORRECT AS TO WHAT WE GET TO OPERATE ON.

SO I'VE CHANGED THAT.

I'VE GROSSED THAT UP.

I DID TWEAK THE CHAPTER 49 PAYMENTS, WHICH IS RECAPTURE.

I REVISED A LITTLE BIT ON THE CALCULATION.

SO THAT WENT UP SOME.

EVERYTHING ELSE IS PRETTY MUCH THE SAME.

I DID INCORPORATE THE $2.3 MILLION ONE TIME PAYMENT THAT THE BOARD APPROVED ON AUGUST 10TH.

SO THAT'S THE REASON FOR THE OVERALL INCREASE.

BUT OTHER THAN THAT, IT'S PRETTY CONSISTENT WITH WHAT THE BOARD HAS BEEN PRESENTED OVER.

I GUESS, YOU KNOW, THE PAST FOUR BOARD MEETINGS THAT WE'VE DISCUSSED THIS, YOU KNOW, TO REFLECT BACK A LITTLE BIT ON THE BUDGET PROCESS, YOU KNOW, IT STARTED, GOSH, BACK IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR WITH THE MOAT CASEY STUDY.

AND I THINK THE TRANSPARENCY IN THE PROCESS, I THINK THE INVOLVEMENT OF MOAT CASEY HAS RESULTED IN A VERY ROBUSTLY, I GUESS, SOUND BUDGET AND THAT WE HAVE TO REDUCE. AND WE DID IT VERY METHODICALLY.

WE DID IT VERY TRANSPARENTLY, AND WE ACHIEVED A BALANCED BUDGET FROM, YOU KNOW, I GUESS THAT COUPLED WITH THE FACT THAT WE ALSO HAVE IN OTHER RESOURCES, WE'VE GOT 4,526,000 THAT'S GOING TO BE FROM THE SALE OF PROPERTY PRIMARILY.

THAT'S FROM THE SELLER PROPERTY THAT WE ANTICIPATE HAPPENING IN THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR OR OTHER SOURCES LIKE THAT.

BUT AGAIN, I THINK THAT WE'VE HAD SEVERAL BUDGET WORKSHOPS.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE MOAT CASEY, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT STAFFING.

STAFFING IS ROUGHLY 83% OF OUR BUDGET.

SO I FEEL LIKE WE'VE GIVEN THE PUBLIC A VERY TRANSPARENT PROCESS IN A GOOD OUTCOME.

SO IT'S 118 MILLION IN REVENUE.

118 MILLION IN EXPENDITURES, FOR A BALANCED BUDGET.

FOR THE MAINTENANCE IN OPERATIONS.

SO IN GOING TO THE PROPOSED DEBT SERVICE FUND BUDGET, WE'VE GOT LOCAL REVENUE THAT IS AGAIN BASED ON THE 33 CENT TAX RATE FOR ABOUT $40 MILLION IN REVENUE, THE STATE REVENUE INCREASE FROM PRIOR YEARS BECAUSE AS THE STATE IS GOING TO INCREASE THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FROM 40,000 TO 100,000, THE STATE MAKES THAT DIFFERENCE UP.

IT'S CALLED HOLD HARMLESS.

SO WHEN THE STATE MAKES A CHANGE THAT IS NEGATIVELY IMPACTFUL ON EXISTING DEBT THAT'S ISSUED, THEY MAKE THAT DIFFERENCE UP THROUGH A FORMULA CALCULATION.

THE DEBT SERVICE EXPENDITURES ARE 26.8 MILLION.

THAT'S THE AMORTIZATION.

SO ANNUALLY WE HAVE THE PAYMENTS BASED ON THAT DEBT THAT HAS BEEN ISSUED IN YEARS PAST.

THAT'S OUR AMORTIZATION PAYMENT DURING THE CURRENT YEAR.

AND BASED ON THE COMBINED REVENUE THAT I JUST EXPLAINED ON $0.33, THE DELTA BETWEEN THAT AND THE 41, THE 41.5 MILLION.

AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THAT AND THE DEBT SERVICE EXPENDITURE, WE SEE AN ITEM THAT IS TERMED OTHER USES.

THAT IS GOING TO BE USED IF THE BOARD APPROVES TO DEFEASE DEBT.

AND SO THAT'S PAYING YOUR MORTGAGE EARLY.

SIMPLY PUT, THAT'S PAYING YOUR MORTGAGE EARLY.

I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH THAT IN A GOOD DEAL OF IN A GOOD AMOUNT OF DETAIL ON ANOTHER SLIDE IN A SEPARATE PRESENTATION.

SO THAT AGAIN, IS BALANCED, CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE SAW IN THE GENERAL FUND.

THE FIRST REQUIREMENT IS FINANCIAL INTEGRITY RATING SYSTEM OF TEXAS REQUIREMENT TO DISCUSSION OF CURRENT YEAR VALUES PRIOR TO THE PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL THREE.

THE FUNDING FORMULA USED PRIOR YEAR VALUES IN THE CALCULATION STATED THAT GAVE WINDFALLS SO THE STATE DEDUCTED WHAT YOU HAD ON PRIOR YEAR VALUES AT THE MAXIMUM COMPRESSED RATE.

WHEN YOU HAD GROWTH, THE STATE DIDN'T CONSIDER THAT GROWTH.

THAT GROWTH WAS BASICALLY REFERRED TO AS THE FUNDING LAG.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT THAT CHANGED WHEN GOING TO CURRENT YEAR VALUES.

FOR SOME DISTRICTS IT WAS A PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL BENEFIT AND IT GAVE YOU A MUCH HIGHER REVENUE PER ADA THAN OTHERS.

[00:20:04]

OF COURSE, WITH HOUSE BILL THREE, WE ALSO SAW SOME FUNDING FORMULA INCREASES, BUT IT BENEFITED EVERYBODY PRETTY EQUALLY.

IN THE LAST BULLET I'VE GOT.

OTHER LEGISLATIVE IMPACTS IN THE CURRENT YEAR ARE STILL POSSIBLE.

WE'VE DISCUSSED THAT.

I THINK AT THE AUGUST 10TH MEETING WE'RE ANTICIPATING ANOTHER SPECIAL CALL SESSION TO DEAL WITH SCHOOL FUNDING.

AND SO WHAT I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT IN THIS ANALYSIS, IN THIS CONVERSATION WAS NO INCREASE IN THE BASIC ALLOTMENT MEANS NO TEACHER RAISES WERE FUNDED.

AND SO WE KNOW THAT WITH THIS RECENT LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY THAT WHEN WE DON'T HAVE AN INCREASE IN THE BASIC ALLOTMENT, THE STATE DOES NOT GIVE US ANY EXTRA MONEY.

THEY DID MINOR IN, I GUESS, TIER TWO REVENUE AND I THINK THAT WAS $265,000.

AND THEN THEY GAVE US SOME MONEY FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY.

I THINK THAT WAS ANOTHER 165,000 IN AN ERA THAT WE EXPERIENCED 14.5% INFLATION, I THINK WE GOT ABOUT 1.5%.

AND SO I ALSO QUALIFY IT IN THE EVENT THE STATE DOES INCREASE THE BASIC ALLOTMENT, THE DISTRICT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO INCREASE SALARIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATUTE IN HOUSE BILL THREE AND THE 86TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

ANY TIME THERE IS AN INCREASE IN THE BASIC ALLOTMENT, THERE IS A LEGISLATIVE OR A REQUIREMENT IN STATUTE THAT THE DISTRICT PASS THAT OFF TO THE TEACHERS.

30% IMMEDIATELY GOES TO TEACHER PAY RAISES.

AND SO THIS BEING PASSED BUDGET ADOPTION, NOT REAL SURE HOW THAT PLAYS OUT OR THE LOGISTICS, BUT WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT.

I THINK THAT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

THE OTHER THE OTHER REQUIREMENTS, THEY TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE OTHER REQUIREMENTS OR SOME OF THE OTHER CHANGES.

WE KNOW THAT THAT DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE HAVE LIVED ON ESSER FUNDS.

THOSE ALSO ARE COMING TO AN END.

SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE BIG SHIFTS IN FUNDING AND SOME OF THE LACK OF INCREASES.

SO I WANTED TO TOUCH ON THAT AS WELL.

WITH THAT SAID, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE OR..

ALL RIGHT, AT THIS TIME, I'LL RECOGNIZE ANY SPEAKERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE BOARD REGARDING THE PROPOSED BUDGET AND TAX RATE.

LIKE NONE. THIS CONCLUDES THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED 2023 BUDGET AND TAX RATE FOR THE 2023-2024 FISCAL YEAR.

THE HEARING IS NOW CLOSED.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL RETURN TO THE 2023-24 PROPOSED BUDGET AND THE 2023 TAX RATE FOR CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION DURING AGENDA ITEMS TEN C AND TEN D. WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER EIGHT, WHICH IS THE PRESIDENT'S REPORT.

[8. PRESIDENT'S REPORT]

WE HAD SEVERAL HUNDRED COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT CAME OUT IN THE 110 DEGREE WEATHER AND CELEBRATED SUCH A REALLY GREAT THING FOR THE CERAMI FAMILY.

SO JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT.

AND NEXT TIME YOU DRIVE BY THE AQUATIC CENTER, MAKE SURE YOU CHECK OUT THE LETTERING ON THERE IS GREAT.

AND WE ALSO PRESENTED THEM WITH A PLAQUE THAT WILL BE HUNG, I THINK, IN THE LOBBY AREA OF THE AQUATIC CENTER THAT TELLS ELISE'S STORY AND THE FAMILY'S STORY.

SO I JUST WANT TO MENTION THAT I'LL JUST OPEN IT UP NOW FOR ANY TRUSTEE THAT HAS A COMMITTEE REPORT.

I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THE SAFETY AND SECURITY COMMITTEE MEETING ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 1ST.

MR. NICHOL, OUR NEW SAFETY AND SECURITY DIRECTOR, PRESENTED THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS WITH THE RESULTS OF THE DISTRICT FACILITIES, SAFETY AND SECURITY AUDIT WITH RECOMMENDATIONS AND RESPONSES. THANK YOU, TRUSTEE STACEY.

ANY OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS? ALL RIGHT. MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER NINE, SUPERINTENDENTS REPORT.

[9. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT]

PRESIDENT BRYANT. I JUST WANT TO REITERATE WHAT MR. BRYANT SAID ABOUT THE CEREMONY.

IT WAS A GREAT EVENT AND A GREAT CEREMONY ACKNOWLEDGING THE LIFE OF ELISE.

I ALSO WANT TO MENTION, JUST SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE NAMING FACILITIES, THE LEDBETTER FIELD NAMING IS FRIDAY NIGHT.

BUT THE POINT I WANT TO MAKE ON THAT IS THAT WE HAVE BACKED OUR FOOTBALL GAME UP FROM 7:00 TO 8:00.

SO THAT TIME HAS BEEN DELAYED A LITTLE BIT JUST DUE TO THE HEAT.

BUT JUST OVERALL, I JUST CAN'T I WANT TO THANK OUR STAFF, OUR TEACHERS, OUR PRINCIPALS, EVERYONE INVOLVED.

I KNOW THERE'S ALWAYS A LOT THAT TAKES PLACE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR WITH GETTING KIDS FROM A TRANSPORTATION STANDPOINT, GETTING THEM FED, GETTING THEM IN CLASS, GETTING SCHEDULES COMPLETED.

AND SO IT'S A LARGE UNDERTAKING WITH 8300, 8400 STUDENTS.

AND SO I WANT TO COMMEND OUR STAFF FOR A GREAT START TO THE SCHOOL YEAR.

I'VE HEARD GREAT THINGS. I KNOW WE IT NEVER COMES WITHOUT CHALLENGES.

THERE'S NOT A YEAR THAT HAS STARTED THAT HASN'T HAD CHALLENGES AND FRUSTRATIONS.

I KNOW AS PARENTS, IF YOU'VE HAD STUDENTS GO THROUGH THE SYSTEM, I THINK EVERY SCHOOL AND EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT DEALS WITH IT BECAUSE IT IS A CHALLENGE.

I THINK WE'RE WORKING THROUGH A LOT OF THAT AND AND FEEL GOOD ABOUT WHERE WE ARE.

I THINK IT WAS I MEAN, OVERALL, I THINK IT WAS A VERY POSITIVE START TO THE SCHOOL YEAR.

[00:25:02]

I KNOW THERE'S BEEN SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT STAFFING AND CERTAINLY PUBLIC EDUCATION AS A WHOLE.

MOST DISTRICTS AROUND US ARE STRUGGLING TO FILL CLASSROOMS WITH CERTIFIED TEACHERS.

A LOT OF DISTRICTS HAVE STARTED WITH SUBSTITUTES.

AND SO WE I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE WITH WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE WE'RE STILL TRYING TO HIRE A FEW SPECIAL EDUCATION PARAPROFESSIONALS, BUT WE DO AS FAR AS OPENINGS, WE HAVE ONE TEACHER OPENING RIGHT NOW OR ONE CLASS, I GUESS, THAT DOESN'T HAVE NECESSARILY A CERTIFIED TEACHER IN IT.

AND WE HAVE INTERVIEWS SET UP TOMORROW, SO HOPEFULLY WE WILL HAVE SOMEONE IN THAT POSITION IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE WITH JUST LIKE LAST YEAR, WE'VE HAD TO UTILIZE WITH A HANDFUL OF CLASSROOMS CONTRACTED TEACHERS, WHICH ARE SERVICES THAT PROVIDE TEACHERS THAT ARE ACTUALLY CERTIFIED.

AND SO WE A LOT OF DISTRICTS DON'T CHOOSE TO DO THAT BECAUSE IT'S A LITTLE MORE A LITTLE BIT MORE EXPENSIVE TO THE DISTRICT.

BUT WE FELT LIKE IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE CERTIFIED TEACHERS AS OPPOSED TO SUBSTITUTES IN THOSE CLASSROOMS. AND SO WE'RE WILLING TO TAKE ON THAT EXPENSE TO PROVIDE THAT FOR OUR STUDENTS.

AND I FEEL LIKE I SAID, I FEEL GOOD ABOUT WHERE WE ARE IN TERMS OF OUR CLASSROOMS BEING COVERED, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF 1 OR 2 RIGHT NOW THAT WE'RE STILL TRYING TO FILL THE COMMITTEE PROCESS FOR OUR BOARD COMMITTEES, OUR ACTION TEAM COMMITTEES, ALL THAT CLOSED AS FAR AS APPLICATIONS.

SO WE'LL BE WORKING WITH TRUSTEES AND STAFF TO GET THOSE POSITIONS FILLED.

SO IF YOU APPLIED FOR THAT, WE WILL GET THAT INFORMATION OUT TO YOU SOON AND GET THOSE COMMITTEES FILLED.

AND JUST A REMINDER, WE WILL NOT BE FILLING AS MANY COMMITTEE SPOTS BECAUSE IT IS BASICALLY FOR THOSE POSITIONS WHERE INDIVIDUALS ARE ROTATING OFF, WHEREAS THE LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME OR MAYBE THE YEAR PRIOR, WE WERE FILLING EVERY SEAT ON THOSE COMMITTEES.

SO IT'LL BE THOSE THAT ARE ROTATING OFF OR THOSE THAT MAYBE ARE NOT COMING BACK TO BE A PART OF THAT.

BUT LIKE I SAID, THAT'LL GO OUT SOON.

AND WE ALSO PUT OUT HOPEFULLY YOU NOTICED OUR CLASS, WHICH IS OUR OUR COMMITTEE FOR I'M I ALWAYS HAVE TO LOOK THIS UP CAROL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY FOR STUDENT FOR SUPPORTING SUCCESS CLASS.

AND I STILL DIDN'T READ THAT CORRECTLY BUT IT'S A GROUP THAT REALLY GETS A BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK OF ALL THAT GOES ON WITHIN CARROLL ISD.

WE TAKE IT FROM A FINANCE STANDPOINT, HR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS.

YOU GET TO VISIT WITH SOME OF OUR PRINCIPALS.

WE HAVE A PANEL WITH THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, AND SO THAT'S OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO BE A PART OF THAT. WE'RE GOING TO MEET QUARTERLY THIS YEAR OR A LITTLE BIT MORE OFTEN THAN QUARTERLY, BUT WE WILL NOT BE MEETING MONTHLY.

BUT IT'S A GREAT EXPERIENCE.

IT'S A GREAT WAY FOR YOU TO GET TO KNOW KIND OF THE BEHIND THE SCENES AND FOR US TO GET TO KNOW YOU AS WELL.

SO WE'D LOVE FOR YOU TO BE A PART OF THAT IF YOU'RE INTERESTED.

SO I BELIEVE THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR TONIGHT.

ALL RIGHT. GOOD NEWS. THANK YOU, DR.

LEDBETTER. NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS OUR DISCUSSION ACTION SECTION 10A, CONSIDER ACCEPTANCE OF RESIGNATION OF PLACE FIVE, CARROLL ISD TRUSTEE HANNAH SMITH.

[10. DISCUSSION / ACTION]

WE HAVE TO TAKE THIS ACTION IN ORDER TO CONSIDER THE ACTION ON TEN B.

SO IF I UNDERSTAND THIS CORRECTLY, THE STATUTE SAYS THAT AFTER THE RESIGNATION, THE DATE OF THE RESIGNATION RESIGNATION LETTER, EIGHT DAYS, IT WILL BECOME OFFICIAL.

IT'S BEEN ONLY SEVEN DAYS.

SO THE BOARD HAS TO TAKE ACTION SO THAT..

HER LETTER ACTUALLY INDICATED THE 15TH.

SO FROM THE 15TH TO THE 21ST, IT HAS TO BE SO SINCE IT WAS NOT EXACTLY EIGHT DAYS OR IT WASN'T WITHIN EIGHT DAYS.

OKAY. SO CAN I GET A MOTION FOR THIS ITEM? I MOVE TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF PLACE FIVE CARROLL ISD TRUSTEE HANNAH SMITH.

SECOND. GOT A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES 6 TO 0.

ALL RIGHT. ITEM TEN B, CONSIDER ADOPTION OF AN ORDER TO CALL A SPECIAL ELECTION ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH, 2023.

I'LL JUST GO AHEAD AND MOVE TO OPEN IT UP FOR DISCUSSION.

SO PRESIDENT BRIAN, BEFORE WE ACTUALLY TALK ABOUT THE OPTIONS, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE CLEAR ON IF WHETHER WE APPOINTED SOMEBODY OR WE HAVE A SPECIAL ELECTION, WHOEVER WE CHOOSE WOULD BE FILLING TRUSTEE SMITH'S ROLE, WHICH WOULD FINISH NEXT YEAR, AND THEY WOULD BE ASKED TO REQUIRE TO RUN AGAIN.

SO THEY WOULD ONLY BE IN THEIR ROLE FOR 7 OR 8 MONTHS UNTIL OR LESS UNTIL IT'S TIME TO RUN A CAMPAIGN AGAIN AND FOR THEIR OWN POSITION.

SO THEY'D KIND OF HAVE TO, IF IT WAS WHETHER IT WAS APPOINTED OR WHETHER IT WAS A SPECIAL ELECTION, THEY'D HAVE TO RUN AGAIN SIX MONTHS LATER, CORRECT? THAT'S CORRECT. I THINK TRUSTEE YEAGER HAS EXPERIENCE IN THAT.

IT'S PRETTY GRUELING, WHAT, 8 OR 9 MONTHS THAT YOU HAVE CHRISTMAS WEEK OFF? YEAH, CHRISTMAS WEEK OFF.

YEAH. IN ADDITION TO THAT, I MEAN, WE CAN APPOINT SOMEONE AT ANY TIME.

WE CAN APPOINT SOMEBODY THAT JUST WANTS TO SIT IN THE SEAT UNTIL MAY AND NOT RUN.

OR WE CAN APPOINT SOMEBODY THAT IS A GOOD CANDIDATE THAT MAY WANT TO RUN IN MAY.

YOU KNOW, DURING MY CAMPAIGN TWO YEARS AGO, TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO, I HAD A CAMPAIGN PROMISE TO THE COMMUNITY WE WOULD NOT APPOINT.

AND SO ANY TIME THAT WE WOULD WANT TO FILL A POSITION THAT WAS VACATED EARLY, I SAID THAT WE WOULD EITHER GO FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION OR

[00:30:05]

SO AND WITH THIS SPECIAL ELECTION, IT COMES AS IT'S NOT A GENERAL ELECTION.

IT COMES WITH A COST.

MISTER JOHNSON, DO WE KNOW HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO PUT ON A NOVEMBER ELECTION? AND AS I UNDERSTAND IT. IS THAT CORRECT, DOCTOR? YEAH. 10 TO 15,000 IS WHAT WE'RE BEING TOLD.

YEAH. THOUGHTS.

ANYONE. AM PRESIDENT BRONNER.

AM I CORRECT? WE COULD ALSO ONE OF THE OPTIONS IS JUST TO LEAVE THE SEAT OPEN UNTIL MAY.

YEAH. THE ONLY REASON WE'RE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION TONIGHT IS BECAUSE THE DEADLINE TO CALL TO TELL THE STATE TO CALL FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION IS TODAY.

SO WE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE ACTION IF WE WANT TO DO THAT AND MOVE FORWARD TODAY.

AND THEN I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH TIME YOU HAVE TO CONTACT THE STATE.

IS IT? IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO A SPECIAL ELECTION, AS LONG AS IT'S DOCUMENTED THAT YOU CALLED IT TODAY, THEN THEN WE WOULD NOTIFY THEM THAT WE WERE MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT.

OKAY. YEAH, I HAVE A COMMENT.

AS SOMEONE WHO HAD TO GO THROUGH THAT, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT.

IT'S NOT JUST DIFFICULT ON THE CANDIDATES.

IN FACT, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE TWO CANDIDATES THAT RAN AND RAN AGAIN.

IT'S DIFFICULT ON THEIR FAMILIES.

IT'S DIFFICULT ON THE COMMUNITY, ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WORK HARD ON CAMPAIGNS.

AND I WOULD SAY, TOO, THAT THIS BOARD AND THE PRIOR BOARD, WE HAVE OPERATED WITH SIX TRUSTEES.

I DON'T THINK THAT BEING DOWN ONE POSITION WAS SOMETHING THAT HANDICAPPED US IN ANY WAY IN OUR DECISION MAKING, IN OUR LEADERSHIP. SO THAT WOULDN'T BE UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY FOR THIS BOARD TO OPERATE UNTIL NEXT MAY WITH SIX.

MY ONLY CONCERN WOULD BE THAT I THINK AS TRUSTEE STACEY HAD MENTIONED THE OTHER DAY, THAT, YOU KNOW, WE ALL HAVE COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS.

WE'RE SITTING ON THE STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEES, WE'RE SITTING ON THE INDIVIDUAL COMMITTEES.

WE WOULD HAVE TO THIS THIS POSITION WOULD HAVE TO WE'D HAVE TO FILL THOSE TO SIT ON THOSE COMMITTEES.

SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IS COMFORTABLE WITH A FEW MORE ASSIGNMENTS, POSSIBLY IN YOUR AREA IF WE CHOOSE TO JUST AT THIS POINT LEAVE IT VACANT.

SO I'LL COMMENT FOR MYSELF.

I WOULDN'T MIND DOING MORE COMMITTEES AND I'M NOT REALLY PERSONALLY A VERY BIG FAN OF AN APPOINTMENT.

IT'S SUCH A SHORT TIME AND I REALLY DON'T WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY.

I THINK THAT WE'RE PRETTY TIGHT ON OUR BUDGET AND WE COULD USE THAT MONEY.

SO, YOU KNOW, I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF US JUST LEAVING THE SEAT OPEN.

WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT FOR NOW PROBABLY MORE THAN A YEAR AND MAYBE ALMOST TWO YEARS.

SO I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE JUST KEEP IT OPEN.

AND WHOEVER IS INTERESTED IN JOINING US NEXT YEAR, THEY CAN RUN AT THE REGULAR TIME.

THEY WON'T HAVE TO RUN TWO CAMPAIGNS.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD DO.

I'M ALL IN FAVOR OF ERIC BEING ON MORE COMMITTEES NOW.

THAT'S THE FEEDBACK. SO BE IT.

IT WILL BE DONE. YES, THAT'S THE FEEDBACK THAT I RECEIVED WHEN I HAD COMMUNITY MEMBERS REACH OUT EITHER OVER THE PHONE OR IN PERSON.

THEY JUST SAID, YOU KNOW, AS LONG AS THE SIX OF YOU CAN FULFILL THE DUTIES OF THE BOARD AND DO IT IN A DO A GOOD JOB, I DON'T SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS IN KEEPING IT EMPTY. OKAY.

THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THIS ON THIS ITEM? CAN I CAN TAKE SOME MORE COMMITTEE ROLES AS WELL.

OKAY. YOU AND ERIC? YEAH. YEAH. OKAY.

CONSIDER IT DONE.

ALL RIGHT. WE'RE MOVING ON TO ITEM TEN, D OR TEN C, SO CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL OF ADOPTION OF THE 2023, 2024 BUDGET, MR. JOHNSON. IN A QUICK RECAP.

SO WE HAVE TWO BUDGETS TONIGHT TO APPROVE THE REQUIRED BY TEXAS EDUCATION CODE.

WE'VE GOT AN MMO WITH $118 MILLION IN REVENUE IN THE SAME AMOUNT AND EXPENSE TO FOR A BALANCED BUDGET AND FOR THE INS.

THE OTHER THAT IS REQUIRED BY STATUTE TO ADOPT IS 41.5 ON THE REVENUE, 41,500,000 ON EXPENDITURES AS WELL.

HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU, MR. JOHNSON.

I MAKE A MOTION THAT THE BOARD APPROVE THE 2023, 2024 BUDGET, INCLUDING THE GENERAL FUND AND DEBT SERVICE FUND AS PRESENTED.

SECOND, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT. ALL IN FAVOR.

MOTION CARRIES 6 TO 0.

ITEM TEN D CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL.

[00:35:01]

MR. JOHNSON. I BELIEVE THE BOARD HAS A COPY OF THE TAX RATE ADOPTION RESOLUTION.

IN NORMAL YEARS, BECAUSE WE HAVE SUCH GROWTH IN THIS IN THE SOUTH LAKE AREA, WE HAVE TO ADOPT IT IN ACCORDANCE WITH REALLY STRICT WORDING THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF THE TAX RATE COMPRESSION AND THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE CALCULATION, WE'RE ADOPTING A RATE THAT IS BELOW THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE.

SO AS SUCH, IT IS A MUCH CLEANER PROCESS AND I HAVE PROVIDED THE BOARD WITH A COPY OF THAT RESOLUTION.

SO THE RATE PROPOSED TONIGHT IS 6725 AND THE INTEREST AND SINKING TAX RATE IS 33 PENNIES PER $100 OF VALUATION FOR A COMBINED RATE OF $1 0.0025 PER $100 VALUATION.

HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

LET ME READ THE RESOLUTION IN THE RECORD AND THEN WE'LL OPEN UP FOR COMMENTS ON THIS DATE.

WE, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE CARROLL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, HEREBY LEVY OR SET THE TAX RATE ON $100 VALUATION FOR THE DISTRICT FOR THE 2023 TAX YEAR AT A TOTAL TAX RATE OF 1.0025 TO BE ASSESSED AND COLLECTED BY THE DULY SPECIFIED ASSESSOR AND COLLECTOR AS FOLLOWS 0.6725 FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS AND 0.33 FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON DEBTS.

SUCH TAXES ARE TO BE ASSESSED AND COLLECTED BY THE TAX OFFICIALS DESIGNATED BY THE DISTRICT.

ADOPTED THIS 21ST DAY OF AUGUST 2023 BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

OKAY, WE'LL OPEN IT UP FOR COMMENT.

ALL RIGHT. NO COMMENT.

CAN I GET A MOTION? I MOVE THAT THE BOARD APPROVE AND ADOPT THE 2023 TAX RATE RESOLUTION AS PRESENTED.

SECOND. MOTION IN A SECOND.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES 6 TO 0.

THANK YOU, MR. JOHNSON.

ITEM TEN E, CONSIDER AND TAKE POSSIBLE ACTION ON AN ORDER AUTHORIZING THE EASEMENT AND REDEMPTION OF ALL OR A PORTION OF CERTAIN OUTSTANDING DEBT OF CARROLL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT.

JOHNSON. OKAY, SO FOR TONIGHT, WE'LL GO OVER THE DEBT SERVICE FUND BUDGET.

THE CURRENT CARROLL ISD DEBT, DEBT DEFEASANCE CONSIDERATIONS PROJECTED SAVINGS ON THAT DEFEASANCE WHAT THE DEBT WILL LOOK LIKE AFTER THAT DEFEASANCE AND NEXT STEPS.

SO AS WE DISCUSSED, AS I DISCUSSED IN THE PREVIOUS PRESENTATION, THE REVENUE PROJECTION USES $33.33 PER $100 VALUATION, SO RIGHT UNDER $40 MILLION PLUS THE STATE AID FOR THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.

AND AGAIN, THAT IS SUBJECT TO VOTER APPROVAL IN NOVEMBER.

WE ANTICIPATE THAT GOING THROUGH PENALTIES AND INTEREST FOR A TOTAL ANTICIPATED REVENUE OF ABOUT 41.5 MILLION.

THE DEBT OBLIGATIONS, WHAT WE'VE GOT ON OUR NORMAL AMORTIZATION SCHEDULE IS JUST UNDER $27 MILLION.

THEN WE PAY DEBT SERVICE FEES, SO ABOUT $26.8 MILLION.

AND SO IF WE SUBTRACT THAT FROM THE $41.5 MILLION IN REVENUE, TWO OPTIONS EXIST.

YOU CAN EITHER LOWER YOUR INS RATE OR YOU CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT AND DEFEASE DEBT EARLY.

GO THROUGH THE DOLLAR PART OF THAT HERE IN A SECOND.

SOME SOME DISTRICTS DO GET SOME ADDITIONAL FACILITY FUNDING KNOWN AS IFA OR EXISTING DEBT ALLOTMENT FROM STATE THAT'S BASED ON WEALTH AND REALIZED DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THAT. SO AS OF AUGUST 31ST, THIS IS OUR OUTSTANDING DEBT.

WE'VE GOT $281 MILLION IN OUTSTANDING DEBT.

AND THEN THE AMOUNT CALLABLE IS OBVIOUSLY WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TONIGHT.

THE CALL DATE IS LISTED IN THAT IN THE COLUMN THAT SAYS CALL DATE.

WE DO GET A WE DO HAVE BUILD AMERICA BONDS THREE ISSUES THAT ARE CURRENTLY CALLABLE.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THOSE WERE ISSUED AT TAXABLE INTEREST EARNING RATES.

IN OTHER WORDS, WHEN WE AS A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION ISSUE RATES, WE ARE ISSUE DEBT.

WE GET THAT AT TAX EXEMPT RATES BECAUSE THE BUILD AMERICA BONDS WERE ISSUED AT TAX RATES.

WE GET AN OPERATING REBATE.

IT'S ABOUT $1.7 MILLION AND OUR REVENUE.

SO I WOULD NOT ADVOCATE CALLING THOSE.

THE REST OF THAT IS CALLABLE DURING THE YEAR THAT YOU SEE LISTED.

SO DEBT DEFEASANCE CONSIDERATIONS.

AGAIN, WE'RE AT 33 PENNIES PER $100 VALUATION.

TAXES COLLECTED AN AMOUNT OF IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT NECESSARY FOR CURRENT DEBT PAYMENT WILL BE PLACED INTO AN ESCROW ACCOUNT.

THE RESOLUTION IN PARAMETER ORDER IS OPEN ENDED.

SO THAT IS THAT IS ON THE AGENDA.

AND THE REASON THAT IT'S OPEN ENDED BECAUSE AS SOMETIMES THE DEBT AMOUNT SETTLES, IN OTHER WORDS, WHEN WE ADOPT, WE ADOPT THE BUDGET, SOMETIMES THERE'S THERE ARE PROTEST VALUES. AND SO RATHER THAN GIVING AN AMOUNT NOW, IF THAT INCREASES, THEN IT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEFACE MORE DEBT.

SO THAT WAS THE REASON FOR CHANGING WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR.

WE WILL WE WILL FUND THE ESCROW ACCOUNT IN MAY OF 2024.

AND WE'RE LOOKING AT ALL TYPES OF WE'RE LOOKING AT ALL THE ISSUES BECAUSE IT'S A PRETTY COMPLEX CALCULATION.

[00:40:06]

SO RIGHT NOW WHAT WE'VE GOT IS A DATE OF CALL OF 5:23, THE ESCROW YIELD AND THE ESCROW YIELD MEANS WHEN WE COLLECT ALL OF THESE TAXES, WE'LL PUT THAT MONEY INTO AN ESCROW ACCOUNT THAT WILL EARN MONEY THAT IS SUBJECT TO PRETTY STRINGENT IRS RULES.

WE'VE GOT A VALUE OF NEGATIVE ARBITRAGE OF TWO 2436 MINIMAL.

THE PAR AMOUNT OF BONDS THAT WE COULD CALL WOULD BE ABOUT 14.4 MILLION.

THAT 14.4 MILLION PLUS THE ESCROW EARNINGS PLUS SOME OTHER FUNDS WOULD ALLOW US TO PAY THE INTEREST THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS BECAUSE THOSE ARE NOT CALLABLE, I BELIEVE, UNTIL AND WE'LL LOOK AT THE NEXT SLIDE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS.

SO IT'S I THINK 202, 22,027.

SO WE'LL HAVE TO PAY INTEREST FROM THESE INTEREST EARNINGS ON THOSE ISSUES.

THAT SAID, THE AVERAGE LIFE OF THE BOND IS 17.9 YEARS.

THE PRESENT VALUE OF THE DEBT PRIOR TO THE FIVE 23-24 DATE THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS ABOUT $23.8 MILLION.

AND SO IF WE TAKE THE 23.8 FROM THE 14.4, WE WOULD SAY THE DISTRICT WOULD SAVE ABOUT $9.2 MILLION IN INTEREST.

SO BY ASSESSING THAT ADDITIONAL 33 PENNIES, YOU SAVE ABOUT $9.2 MILLION OR 63% OF THE DEBT.

SO IN MY OPINION, THAT'S OBVIOUSLY A GREAT RETURN ON THE MONEY.

IT KEEPS THE DEBT RATE THE SAME.

AND IF THE BOARD CHOOSES TO DO THAT, THIS IS WHAT WE WOULD SEE AS FAR AS THE OVERALL DEBT.

SO WHAT YOU SEE IS ABOUT A 6 TO 7% DECREASE IN THE REDUCTION OF THE OVERALL DEBT.

YOU SKIP DOWN TO 2024 AND I'VE PUT ON THE BOTTOM OF THAT WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE AS FAR AS THE PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST.

SO 50 MILLION, $50.6 MILLION WOULD COME OFF OF THAT AMORTIZATION THAT'S EXISTING IN THE OVERALL DEBT.

AND OVER A FIVE YEAR PERIOD THAT WOULD BE ABOUT 31.7% REDUCTION IN THE DISTRICT'S DEBT OVERALL.

SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, IT'S KIND OF HARD TO TO NOT LOOK AT THAT.

PRETTY HARD. ANY QUESTIONS UP TO THAT POINT? HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY. SO I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, 9 MILLION IS QUITE A SAVINGS.

AND YOU KNOW, I THINK THIS BOARD TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO MADE A DECISION THAT WE WANT TO PAY OFF OUR DEBT.

WE DON'T WANT TO ENCUMBER MORE DEBT IF WE DON'T HAVE TO.

AND AS SOON AS WE CAN GET OUT OF DEBT, THAT 33 PENNIES IS A PRETTY GOOD TAX SAVINGS ON OUR COMMUNITY.

SO WE WANT TO GET THERE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

I GUESS THE QUESTION I HAVE, MR. JOHNSON, YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TELL ME OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD, BUT IF WE CONTINUE IN THIS MANNER, I KNOW THERE'S ALL KINDS OF FACTORS AND VARIABLES THAT GO INTO THIS.

CAN YOU TELL US WHAT IS OUR LAST BOND GOES OUT TO WHAT, 2044? YEAH. SO IT GOES OUT TO 2044.

IF WE WERE TO CONTINUE THIS, WHAT YEAR ARE YOU PROJECTING THAT WE WOULD BE DEBT FREE? I HAD OUR FINANCIAL ADVISORS PREPARE AN ANALYSIS AND REALLY AFTER ABOUT SIX YEARS WE'VE REALLY CHISELED AWAY AT THE DEBT.

AT THAT POINT YOU HAVE THE BUILD AMERICA BONDS.

AND AGAIN, I THINK THE CHALLENGE WITH THAT IS THAT IS A REVENUE SOURCE, RIGHT? AND SO THAT CONTINUES TO DECLINE BECAUSE IT'S CONSISTENT WITH AN AMORTIZATION ON THAT.

I CAN BRING THAT BACK TO THE BOARD IN MORE SPECIFICITY.

I DON'T HAVE THE FINAL ANALYSIS FROM THE FINANCIAL ADVISORS.

THEY'VE BEEN WORKING ON THAT.

THAT'S APPROXIMATELY I MEAN, IT'S 14 OR 15 YEARS EARLY.

OH, ABSOLUTELY. RIGHT. SO I MEAN, SIX YEARS SUBSTANTIAL IS PRETTY REMARKABLE TO GET GET THIS DISTRICT OUT OF DEBT AND BEING ABLE TO REALLY START SAVING FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FUTURE IN THAT TYPE OF THING WAS WE WANT TO BE, YOU KNOW, IN CHARGE OF OUR OWN DESTINY AND NOT HAVING TO PAY HOW MUCH YOU GO BACK TO THAT SLIDE AND SEE HOW MUCH WE PAID IN INTEREST.

SO RIGHT NOW WE'VE GOT YOU KNOW, I DIDN'T SUBTOTAL IT ON HERE, BUT YOU CAN SEE THAT THAT WE'VE GONE FROM $141 MILLION IN INTEREST PAYABLE AND NEXT YEAR, IF WE DEFEASE THIS DEBT, THAT'LL GO DOWN TO $78 MILLION IN INTEREST PAYABLE.

SO REALLY SUBSTANTIAL DECREASES.

AND SO TWO YEARS OF DEFEATING DEBT, WE DIDN'T HAVE AS MUCH IN THE 23 FISCAL YEAR BECAUSE AS YOU RETIRE DEBT THAT'S OUT A LITTLE BIT LONGER, YOU CAN OBVIOUSLY HAVE MORE IMPACTFUL, A MORE IMPACTFUL OUTCOME BECAUSE AGAIN, THESE BONDS I THINK ARE ARE AN AVERAGE OF 17.9 YEARS.

AND SO YOU'RE LOOKING AT 17 YEARS OF INTEREST.

THAT'S WHAT'S COMING OFF THE AMORTIZATION.

AND SO THAT'S WHY THIS YEAR IS IS OBVIOUSLY MORE IMPACTFUL THAN THAN LAST YEAR.

BUT AGAIN, AS WE CONTINUE TO WORK THROUGH AND I CAN BRING THAT CERTAINLY BRING THAT BACK TO THE BOARD IN A IN A IN A IN A FUTURE MEETING, IT WILL I CAN PROJECT OUT WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE OVER THE NEXT 5 OR 10 YEARS, BUT TO GO FROM 140, ONE DOWN TO 78 IS YEAH, IT'S AMAZING.

REALLY AMAZING. YEAH, YEAH, YEAH.

MR. JOHNSON I'LL JUST COMPLIMENT YOU AND YOUR TEAM, OBVIOUSLY TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT A BUDGET THAT'S BALANCED TO DAFFY'S DEBT, TO REDUCE THE TAX RATE AND

[00:45:10]

SO JUST COMPLIMENTS TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM.

ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? OKAY. I MOVE THAT THE BOARD APPROVE THE ORDER AS PRESENTED FOR CASH DEFEASANCE OF BONDED DEBT PREPARED BY BOND COUNSEL.

SECOND AND A MOTION AND SECOND.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR.

MOTION CARRIES 6 TO 0.

THANK YOU, MR. JOHNSON.

EXCELLENT. THANK YOU.

MOVING ON TO ITEM TEN F, CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL.

ACQUISITION OF POLICY FOR EFA LOCAL K THROUGH 12 FOR INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS FOR AUTISM GRANT COUNSELING CURRICULUM, AP SPANISH TEXTBOOK AND AP TEST PREPARATION LICENSES. MISS BONNER.

PRESIDENT BRYANT. DR. LEDBETTER, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

ON JULY 24TH BOARD MEETING, WE SUBMITTED A REQUEST FOR INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS UNDER EFA LOCAL.

TONIGHT WE ARE SEEKING APPROVAL FOR K THROUGH 12 INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS FOR THE AUTISM GRANT COUNSELING CURRICULUM, AP SPANISH TEXTBOOKS, AP TEST PREPARATION LICENSES AND CTE TEXTBOOKS.

ANY QUESTIONS FOR MISS BONNER? YOU DON'T HAVE TRUSTEE YEAGER.

CAN I GET A MOTION? I MAKE.

I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS FOR AUTISM GRANT COUNSELING CURRICULUM, AP, SPANISH TEXTBOOK AND AP TEST PREPARATION LICENSES. THIS IS THIS IS ACQUISITION POLICY FOR LOCAL K THROUGH 12.

I'LL SECOND THAT MOTION AND SECOND, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES 6 TO 0.

THANK YOU, MISS BONNER. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. ITEM 11 ARE CONSENT AGENDA.

[11. CONSENT AGENDA]

TRUSTEE YEAGER. DO YOU HAVE THAT? WE DO. AND AGAIN, WE HAVE, AS A REMINDER, AN INCREDIBLY GENEROUS COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU TO EVERY SINGLE PARENT, GRANDPARENTS, EVEN ANYBODY WHO'S INVOLVED WITH OUR WONDERFUL PTO ACROSS OUR 11 CAMPUSES.

SO THE DONATION THAT WE HAVE TONIGHT IS CARROLL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

THE DONATION AMOUNT IS $19,113.72.

AND WE THANK THE CARROLL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTO FOR THAT.

AMAZING WHAT OUR PTOS DO FOR OUR CAMPUSES.

SO THANK YOU ALL THE PTOS AT ALL 11 CAMPUSES.

OKAY. CAN I GET A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA? MOVE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.

SECOND. MOTION AND SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES 6 TO 0.

GET A MOTION TO ADJOURN.

I MAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THIS EVENING'S MEETING.

MOTION AND SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR.

MOTION CARRIES 6 TO 0.

WE ARE ADJOURNED AT 6:47 P.M..

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.