Published: August 20, 2008 03:33 pm            

School board calls for tax election

BURLESON — The Burleson ISD school board called for a Hill College maintenance-tax election during a special budget meeting Monday.

The election is scheduled for Nov. 4, and only those who both live in Burleson ISD and Johnson County will be affected and eligible to vote, said Superintendent Mark Jackson.

Residents will vote on a tax of 5 cents per $100 of taxable property for the maintenance and operation purposes of Hill College’s Burleson program.

Hill College President Dr. Sheryl Kappus, who addressed the board at the last several meetings to talk about the tax, has spoken about how the plays and performances hosted by the college will benefit Burleson’s culture.

“A great day is upon us,” said Ronnie Johnson, president of the school board, after the call for election passed by unanimous vote.

School board members also held a budget workshop to discuss raising employee salaries.

The discussion on how to allot the $1.4 million available for employee raises will continue next week when board members are provided with a more detailed break down of employee groups and their functions.

“I think we need to look at the dollar amount then look at how the dollar amount is prioritized,” said Staci Eisner, vice president of the board. “A hundred more dollars a month means a lot more to a person making $22,000 a year than it does to a person making $65,000.

Peggy Barnes, director of human resources, said most Mextroplex school districts are raising salaries by about 3 percent.

She suggested they trustees consider attendance incentives such as offering teachers free cafeteria lunches for a month if they have no absences for a certain amount of time.

“The balance is, how do you stay competitive and how do you use the money most wisely?” Jackson said.

The board was given a presentation about the city’s comprehensive plan by Shai Roos, director of community and economic development.

“Creating a vision for Burleson is the most important part of our comprehensive plan,” she said. “We want to plan for growth so we get the growth we want on our terms ... A plan is a dream. Plan high, plan big, but always know it’s a dream.”

Roos said Burleson officials want to involve students in the planning process because they are the city’s future.

“Hopefully getting kids involved will help get the parents involved, too,” she said.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.