Gonzales ISD sets tax rate

Gonzales Independent School District Board of Trustees met in a special meeting Monday to approve the districts 2017-2018 budget and to set the district tax rate.

The districts new tax rate is $1.16. With $1.04 of that that tax going toward maintenance and operations and the other 12 cents going toward debt service.

By refinancing some of the ISD's debt last year, the district gained money, meaning the district does not have to tax so highly to make those payments. Additionally, Gonzales Elementary School, built in 1999, will be paid off in February.

During the special meeting the Board out took time to recognize Class of 2017 graduate Roma Gallardo, who has received a $100,000 scholarship from the Mexican American School Board Members Association (MASBA).

MASBA is a 501-c-3 non-profit organization. Members of MASBA are school districts, their board members, trustees, administrators and education service centers.

The mission of the Mexican American School Board Members Association is to advocate quality public education for all students in the State of Texas, by making high-quality education possible to all students, increasing parental and community participation in public governance, improving academic achievement and advocating equitable school finance.

The board adjourned for a brief recess and reopened for a regularly-scheduled meeting.

The board financial reports revealed 97 percent of tax debt to the ISD has been collected and campus enrollment numbers are up.

The board tabled discussion on the purchase of some property on Sarah DeWitt Drive, pending more information and the potential sale of some non-beneficial property owned by the district.

In the meantime, the district has secured an appraisal firm and a surveyor to handle the needs of any purchase or sale agreements.