The Godley ISD Facility Planning Committee held its second session on July 29, 2025, at R.B. Godley Elementary School School.

The second meeting focused primarily on school finance and prioritizing list of potential facility projects.  Leading the presentation was Chief Financial Officer Spencer Davis, who first showed a facility assessment regarding issues with roofs and HVAC units at Legacy Elementary School, Godley 6th Grade Campus and R.B. Godley Elementary.

Davis then discussed the district’s finances, including various categories of general operating expenses.  He explained the differences in local taxes versus state funding, and how state initiatives to compress tax rates and increase the homestead exemption impact the district budget.  Davis also presented a graph of the district’s tax rate history.

Jeff Robert, a managing director with Hilltop Securities, reviewed the school district’s financial position and the general structure of bonds to pay for new buildings and capital projects.  Robert also explained the interest and sinking tax rate, which is used only to pay down debt as well as interest payments and is separate from the maintenance and operations tax rate that goes towards salaries, utilities and other general operating expenses.

The group also reviewed estimated costs for facility options developed from prior discussions.  Each member evaluated the list and selected their own priorities from among those projects.

At the first meeting on July 15, the committee reviewed demographics, economic and housing indicators and enrollment growth projections.  The group also discussed how student enrollment is impacting capacity at current campuses, and then members listed “needs and wants” for the district and schools.

The advisory committee will hold additional meetings and will develop recommendations for the school board.  The group will consider needs for current campuses as well as future facility and infrastructure needs.

Information, including meeting presentations and videos, are available at www.godleyisdfpc.com.