Godley ISD school board trustees adopted the 2024-25 budget and tax rate at the monthly meeting on August 26, 2024, at Godley High School.

During a public hearing, Chief Financial Officer Spencer Davis led the board through the upcoming budget analysis, reviewing materials from two prior budget workshops.

Davis recommended a slight decrease in the district’s maintenance and operation tax rate from $0.7892 to $0.7869 per $100 of property valuation.  Combined with the $0.50 interest and sinking tax rate for debt service, the total tax rate would be $1.2869 per $100 of property valuation.

Current enrollment totals 3,190 students - up from 2,969 in the 2023-24 school year and 2,657 in the 2022-23 school year.  However, no additional staff positions were approved.

The use of fund balance reserves since 2019 has allowed the district to absorb inflationary costs while continuing to prioritize staff and students, Davis said.  He noted that state funding has remained stagnant at 2019 levels approved by the Texas Legislature, while the local tax rate has decreased more than 12% over the same time period.  Without state funding increases, all school districts are impacted and must reduce expenditures or staffing or utilize district reserves.  Districts are facing payroll costs while also managing steep increases in utilities (up 216%), insurance (up 456%) and transportation (up 54%).

Financial advisors are recommending a refinance opportunity for 2015 bonds that is scheduled for later in 2024.  The lower rate will save taxpayers about $892,000 in interest costs over the life of the bond.

Also discussed was the school district’s planned move to change the fiscal year to July-June.  During the transition, the 2024-25 budget will cover only September-June, so that the 2025-26 budget will be the first under the new schedule.  During the shortened fiscal year, the district will realize 10 months worth of expenditures and 11 months worth of revenue.

Board members also discussed publishing a proposed tax rate for Hill College, which will be considered at a future meeting.

Trustees approved local policy changes after a third of recommendations in TASB Policy Update 123 from the Texas Association of School Boards. 

The board authorized the superintendent to sell easement interests on district land along Farm-to-Market Road 2331 for the construction of a wastewater treatment plant in conjunction with a development planned in the Dove Valley Ranch Municipal Utility District of Johnson County.  In return, the plant will provide services for future planned school sites in that area.  Private construction of this plant will save the district and local taxpayers millions of dollars.

Reports to the board included:

• Facility progress was presented by Satterfield & Pontikes Construction Company regarding Phase 2 projects at GHS including The WILD career and technical education center and competition gymnasium. 

The board approved minutes from recent meetings as well as financial and tax reports, budget amendments, a resolution to commit fund balance, and an interlocal cooperation agreement with Johnson County for dispatch services.  Also adopted was a resolution designating 4-H organizations with extracurricular status.

School trustees will hold their next regularly scheduled board meeting on Monday, Sept. 23.