Monday, September 16, 2024
LIPAN — During the Lipan Independent School District board meeting Aug.29, the board approved the 2024-2025 budget, heard a pressing request from a special education teacher, approved a new tax rate, and grappled with the best location for tennis courts the district received as a gift.
Lipan special education teacher Tonye Grauman addressed the board, expressing concern over the lack of special education aides at the junior high and high school levels. "This year alone, we have 24 students on life services, and 13 of those require inclusion support and about eight hours a week in content mastery support," Grauman said.
She explained that, despite requesting a special education aide every year of her six-year tenure, she had been repeatedly told there was no money in the budget. "It's not a complaint; it's just something I would like y'all to consider going forward," she added, noting she anticipates receiving six more students next year, not including transfers or evaluations.
Grauman urged the board to consider reinstating special education aides to serve students better, stating, "Without the addition of a special education aide, piecing together support will be increasingly difficult." She emphasized prioritizing the assistance needed for special education programs in future budget discussions.
In response, Board President Phillip Tarpley acknowledged Grauman’s concerns, reiterating that budget constraints are a significant factor in these decisions.
A FRESH START
Jennifer Phillips, principal of Lipan Elementary, reported a smooth start to the school year with no new staff and effective new safety measures.
Kay Cole, the new principal for the junior high and high school, was sporting a ballcap Friday in recognition of the fishing hat that supports the school’s fishing team. She spoke about enhancements in academic pathways and student opportunities.
Expanding on high school initiatives, Cole highlighted new pathways and endorsements added to provide more opportunities for students. She mentioned a positive start to the school year, including support for extracurricular activities and a strong sense of community among staff and students.
Five new staff members have been introduced, and efforts are underway to ensure smooth integration and collaboration among veteran and new teachers.
The school is preparing for upcoming events like class officer selections and the fall festival while addressing minor challenges such as dress code compliance and staff changes due to retirement.
OPERATIONS AND TAX RATE
Interim Superintendent Jimmie Dobbs, who joined Lipan ISD several months ago, gave an update on recent operational issues, including humidity and HVAC problems in some areas. A 20-ton air conditioning unit was repaired, but other equipment, like a sound system head unit and a card reader, still needs replacing.
In addition to purchasing 80 radios for the staff, the district has also worked on safety improvements, such as adjusting doors and gates.
Dobbs explained that after running the buses for a few days, LISD transportation director Justin Bullock negotiated a third bus route and found a willing bus driver.
Dobbs provided specific updates on bus routes, highlighting efforts to improve safety and reduce bus ride times by adding a third route.
“Route 1 serves 33 students in the morning and 47 in the evening, covering about 31 miles each way in a little over an hour,” he explained. “Route 2 has 22 students in the morning and 38 in the evening, running around 37 miles in an hour. Route 3 carries 23 students in the morning and 20 in the evening, covering 28 miles in under an hour.”
The superintendent emphasized the goal of balancing routes to reduce time on the bus and ensure students safely exit on the correct side of the road.
The board set the 2024 tax rate at $0.7469 per $100 valuation for maintenance and operations and $0.306956 per $100 value for interest and sinking, for a combined rate of $1.053856.
The board approved a balanced budget for the 2024-2025 school year, totaling $6,867,501 for maintenance and operations and $962,052 for fund 599, which supports bond payments; food service was budgeted at $184,500. Despite the tight financial situation, the board unanimously approved the budget.
The conversation then shifted to budget amendments, with Dobbs detailing the necessity of adjusting the 2023-2024 budget to accommodate discrepancies in expected and actual revenue.
Notable changes included a $250,000 donation for the tennis courts and $102,000 for an insurance claim for tools lost in a fire, leading to a revised fund balance of approximately $3.2 million for the 2023-24 school year, including a proposed expenditure of $375,000 for LISD property acquisition.
Place 1 board member Sheree Reynolds asked about monies related to the appraisal district. The 2023 report on value loss was corrected because of the school tax limitation on homesteads of the elderly and disabled. Reynolds asked if the district will receive the money.
Dobbs confirmed the correction but noted the specifics of when the funds will be distributed remain unclear.
To Grauman’s point regarding the need for aides in her department, board secretary, place 3 Ellyn Grove inquired about the salary of an aid, which Cole estimated to be around $20,000 to $25,000 for entry-level positions.
Grove also raised concerns about the shipping containers in front of the agricultural shop and the cost associated with leasing them, especially given the tight budget.
THE TENNIS COURTS
Lipan ISD is the recipient of funds for the construction of tennis courts. The gift is slated for four courts eventually, with the current focus on building two.
Place 4 board member John Cooper presented several potential locations for consideration. Cooper provided marked maps to help the members evaluate options, focusing on balancing current space constraints with future expansion possibilities.
Board members preferred placing the tennis courts in a location that would avoid the need for future relocation, preserve the donation's legacy and avoid extra costs.
Concerns were also raised about the construction schedule, with Place 7 member Tim Dowdy asking if the installation could align with the existing schedule, set to begin Sept. 15.
The financial implications of moving the discus and shot put areas were also discussed, with Place 2 member Todd Tuggle suggesting relocation might be more cost-effective than other options.
However, placing the tennis courts west of the bus barn could require additional roadwork, parking changes and new camera installations, adding complexity to the decision.
Board members also considered potential drainage issues and further adjustments to the configuration. As the conversation continued, they weighed logistical, financial and aesthetic factors, recognizing the importance of reaching a timely decision to avoid delays.
Reynolds emphasized the need for a special meeting to finalize the plans, warning that any delay in making a decision could push back the project.
Consideration was given to a cross country meet Sept. 11 and a district cross country meet Oct. 7 at Lipan. Ultimately, the board pushed back the tennis court construction start date, aiming to finalize the plans and ensure all considerations are addressed before proceeding.
Dobbs followed up with the revised construction start date after Oct. 7.
