School budget increases 5%, hearing set for August 28

 

The Kennedale

Independent School District has proposed a $26, 737, 076 budget for 2014-15. This represents an approximate 5% increase over the 2013-14 budget. The budget has been approved by the school board but it is tied to the approval of a new tax rate.

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Most of the increase (5.5%) comes in the area of Instruction and Instructional Support which represents 76% of the budget. This area includes teachers, aides, counselors, nursing staff and campus administrators. The next largest area of the budget is in District Operations (17%) which includes maintenance, data processing, food service and busing. It had a 1.7% increase.

 

A significant part the increase in the budget comes with the average 3% raise given to teachers and staff for the new school year. Teachers were given a $1500 raise with the rest of the staff a 3% increase for the new school year.

 

To finance the budget the Kennedale ISD

Board of Trustees will consider setting a tax rate of 1.17 for maintenance and operation and .0344 for debt service for an approximate total of 1.51. Last year the rate was 1.17 for maintenance and operation and .0322 for debt service for an approximate total of 1.47. This will mean an average $425 increase for a residence with a market value of $148, 820 (the average for houses in the school district). This rate is just below the amount that would trigger a rollback election.

The Board of Trustees has scheduled a public hearing on the budget and the tax rate needed to finance the budget on August 28 at 7 p.m. at the Kennedale ISD Media Center at 901 Wildcat Way, Kennedale, TX 76060.

KISD Proposed 2014-15

Category – Expenditures – (2013-14 Budget)

Instruction – 61% of budget