LG Teachers to Get $1,221 Raise This School Year
The La Grange ISD school board met Monday and talked raises and finalized a budget among other items. Here’s some highlights:
Pay Raises
The administration recommended salary adjustments for teachers, administrators/professional staff, paraprofessional/ clerical staff and auxiliary staff who were employed in the district for the 2020-21 school year. The recommended adjustments were:
• Teachers would receive 2.5% increase off the hiring range mid-point of 13 years, which amounts to $1,221.25.
• Other professional staff including counselors, librarians, school nurse, administrators, special education assessment staff and directors will receive a 2% increase of their paygrade midpoint.
• Clerical/paraprofessional and auxiliary staff will also receive a 2% increase of their paygrade midpoint.
• Bus operators will receive a market adjustment in their rate of pay.
• Substitute pay will increase by $5 per day.
These salary recommendations will cost the district about $272,000.
The board approved the compensation increases as presented.
New Hires and Resignations
The board approved oneyear probationary teacher contracts for the 2021-22 school year for Arcenia Auguste – elementary teacher; Charles Griste – high school teacher; Carlos Guevara – high school teacher; Kim Newton – middle school teacher; and Christen Pitre – high school teacher.
Resignations were received from Rebecca Matocha, Samira Noori, Bonnie Robertson, Cynthia Riojas, Jennifer Morales, Trinity Eilert, Ariana Lara, and Cassandra Warner.
Budget
Diana Fitzpatrick, Director of Finance, presented the proposed budget for the 2021-22 school year at Monday night’s meeting. This budget was created with the following assumptions:
• Enrollment and attendance are anticipated to be approximately the same as the end of the 2020-21 school year;
• Property tax collections remain constant – historically 98%;
• Interest rates are at the lowest in recent history;
• Economic uncertainties – pandemic uncertainties;
• Maintenance and operations compressed tax rate of $0.9134/$100 plus four (4) golden pennies
Due to the problems the COVID pandemic has caused the school districts in the country, the federal government has offered assistance via several ESSER grants which the district plans to use as proscribed by the intents of the grants as well as assist with needs of the students and facilities over the life of the grants.
The district will continue to pay $344 per month for employer contribution to employees’ health insurance premiums. The administration has budgeted for a proposed raise for teachers, librarians, counselors, nurses, as well as professional, clerical, paraprofessional, and other auxiliary staff.
The administration proposed the HB3 mandated maximum compressed rate for maintenance and operations of $0.9134 plus the four golden pennies for a total M&O rate of $0.9534. Due to increased property values, the administration proposed an interest and sinking rate of $0.1936 which is $0.0023 less than the current rate. This lower rate will adequately support the debt service payments in February and August of the next year which will total $2,272,400. The combined tax rate of M&O and I&S proposed was $1.1470/$100 value, which is a little over ten (10) cents less than last year’s approved rate.
The board moved to propose a total tax rate of $1.1470/$100 with maintenance and operations rate at $0.9534/$100 and interesting and sinking rate at $0.1936/$100 to be included in the notice of public meeting to discuss budget and proposed tax rate hearing set for Aug. 30, 2021.
Despite the drop in tax rate, the average taxpayer in the district will see an increase of $66 a year because of the increase in property values.
Stadium Update
Since construction began on the new Leopard stadium on May 28, there have been 30 rainy days that have delayed the completion. However at this time, the construction crew still has a completion date of Sept. 1. This would allow the Leopards to play their home season opener at the new field on Sept. 3. The completion of the track will not happen until after football season.
Insurance
The district will continue to have auto, liability, and property contribution/coverage with Texas Association of School Boards for the 2021-22 school year. They specialize in risk management issues for schools and have constantly demonstrated their ability to provide coverages for a variety of needs that schools experience. The cost for this coverage will be $135,129, which is an increase of $26,910 over last year due to the new construction being completed and adding square footage and value to the district’s building schedule.
The district also has worker’s compensation coverage with TASB. The estimated contribution for worker’s compensation for the 2021-22 school year will be $65,497 which is an increase of $5,587 over last year. There were claims last year that incurred high cost of care which resulted in the change of the estimated contribution.
Privacy and information security insurance was included in the overall cost to the district for the last several years. This year, due to increased claims in the state, TASB is having to charge $3,000 to continue the coverage of up to $250,000 with an $0 deductible.
The total cost of these insurance policies will be $203,626 which is an increase of $35,497 over last year.
Pest Control Services
State law and district policy mandates that Texas public schools establish an integrated pest management (IPM) program. Sharon Muzny, Director of Operations, is the district’s IPM coordinator and Mike Newton is the subordinate IPM coordinator. After receiving three bids, it was decided to go with Orkin Commercial Services. They will provide treatment for pests, ants, and termites at a frequency of twice per month. The cost for this service will be $38,008.08 for the 2021-22 school year (24 visits.)
Administrative Reports
Superintendent Bill Wagner alerted the board to two special called board meetings. The first meeting will be on Aug. 23 at 5:30 p.m. and the second will be on Aug. 30 at 5:30 p.m. He informed the board that the Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan (RI-PICS) had been sent out to all families in the district. This plan let the parent know that in-person instruction would be taking place this school year and that rapid testing would be available if the parents wanted their child to be tested for COVID-19 at the school. Updates will be sent as available.
Assistant Superintendent Stacy Eilers reported that new teacher inservice began on Aug. 2 and all teaching staff returned on Aug. 5. She stated that there were successful open houses at all campuses on Aug. 12 and 16.
Muzny told the board that the maintenance crews have been working all summer to get things ready for the start of the school year. New HVAC units were installed in the cafeteria and library.
Comments from the Public
Zack Ezer thanked the board for the stance on allowing parents to determine if masks were necessary for their children.