Whitesboro School Board discusses budget

The Whitesboro ISD Board of Trustees met Monday night for its regular meeting.

After the opening items and a minor correction to the previous meetings’ minutes, the board began by deciding on when they would attend the Legislative Update Training.

The training is a mandatory training for all statewide board members. It is conducted after every legislative session to inform board members of new laws so that they can stay in compliance with the restrictions.

The board then accepted a bid to sell one of the old school buses.

Finally, the focus of the meeting was the budget workshop. Danny Sluder, Whitesboro ISD business manager, presented the preliminary budget to the board. The budget will work to pay off old debt with tighter operating costs. This year’s budget will also include a “3 percent increase for all employees who would not receive increases otherwise,” Sluder said.

All the administrators were able to give their opinions on the budget. “The four principals got to sit down and say, ‘I don’t like that cut. I’d rather it be here,’” Sluder said. The athletic director was also given an opportunity to participate.

The board then discussed various ideas to increase revenue, which include increases lunch prices by 25 cents at the elementary, which would result in an estimated $22,000 increase in annual revenue. The board is also discussing a tax election to increase revenue.

The board will hold a special meeting on July 31, where they will have a public hearing to discuss the budget, food price increase and the possible tax election. Citizens will be given the opportunity to give their opinions on the issues. The board is encouraging everyone to attend this special meeting.