Rusk ISD plans tax cut, gym
Board hopes to cut taxes, increase teacher incentives
BY GLORIA JENNINGS

"We will be looking at a much lower tax rate because of the action of the Texas legislature," Lesa Jones, Rusk ISD director of finance told members of the school board Monday evening.

The maintenance and operation (M&O) portion of the rate is expected to be $1.04. However, the interest and sinking (I&S) portion of the rate has not been determined. It could be 12 cents, bringing the total rate to $1.16. But Mrs. Jones said the rate just has not been determined. It will be presented to the board for approval in late August.

Last year the tax rate included $1.37 for maintenance and operations and 7.25 cents for the interest and sinking fund bringing the total rate to $1.4425. If the $1.16 rate is approved that will be a 28.25 cent decrease in the rate.

Mrs. Jones said the preliminary budget totals approximately $13.7 million, compared to $13.25 million this year.

The general fund revenue is increasing $477,243. State funding is based on average daily attendance, which Rusk shows as 44 additional students.

Most of the increase in the budget comes from payroll increases and payment for new buses.

The district has budgeted to purchase three buses.

The budget allows 73 percent for payroll expenses; 12 percent for contractual obligations; eight percent for supplies and materials and four percent for other operating costs.

Payroll expenses will increase $105,000 for step raises; $81,000 for changes in compensation programs; $100,000 for longevity pay; $15,000 for coaches supplement plan; four percent for raises for administration personnel; and four percent for aides, secretaries, cafeteria workers, custodians. Substitute pay changes will increase $18,000.

"We checked 20 other districts in Region VII on our salaries. Our administrator salaries are in line with the other districts. But salaries for our teachers, librarian and nurse are low. They are paid on the state scale," Mrs. Jones said.

Incentives pay includes $300 at Christmas. Thirtyseven teachers have received attendance pay over the past three years. Also, teachers have received extra funding because of campus TAKS scores.

"Our teachers can receive from $300-$2,800 in this reward plan, but we are still on the low side," Mrs. Jones said.

"We met with teachers and told them what our plans are. We are trying to increase their pay. We are not having a problem finding teachers and keeping them, but we want to do what is right. We want to reward them for service to Rusk ISD. Our first goal was to give a lump sum supplement in the spring. We asked these teachers if they would like a small monthly increase or a lump sum payment. They all agreed that they would like a lump sum payment," Mrs. Jones said.

"We are actually playing catch-up with teacher pay. Step raises are 2.1 percent annually. Our auxiliary personnel receive three or four percent each year. We have raised aide salaries. If we give our teachers a $500 payment in the spring and longevity this will bring our pay scale up to within the top third of the Region VII districts. This will be Rusk's pay plan and isn't state base plus plan," Mrs. Jones said.

A longevity plan will include teachers with three to five years of service to Rusk ISD, $500; six to 10 years, $750; 11-15 years, $1,000; 16-20 years, $1,250; and 21 or more years, $1,500.

The state has allowed $60,000 for teacher benefits, which will go toward the total cost of $181,000.

Coaching supplement will include varsity $5,500 plus 15 days of pay. Head coaches in one sport will receive $1,000 extra and $500 for each additional major sport; and offense and defense coordinators, $500.

Junior high coaching supplements will include $3,850 plus 15 days.

In another matter, the board voted to increase lunch prices 25 cents. Primary and elementary school students will pay $1.50 per meal and junior high and high school students, $1.75. Breakfast is free to all students in the district.

Following an executive session, the board accepted the resignations of Elissa Baker, Sheilia Bradley and Crystal Shidler, teachers, Jeanette Morren, speech therapist and Kevin Stamp, teacher/coach. Employed were Billy Evans, teacher/coach; and Laeil Pepin and John Rawlings, teachers.

Attending the meeting were David Fulton, president; Dr. Anthony Holcomb, vice-president; Frances Long, secretary; Roy Cavazoz, Rodney Hugghins and Britt Patterson. Board member Mike Ross was absent.