SHEPHERD — The Shepherd ISD Board of Managers kept the district tax rate the same, letting new property valuations spur additional revenue.
At the Aug. 21 meeting, the board approved the rate of .9679 per $100 valuation, the same rate as last year.
The proposed budget for the coming school year shows total general fund revenues of $24,782,697, nutrition revenues of $1.495 million and debt service revenues of $1,653,465.
In a separate matter, the board approved changes to the district compensation plant.
Regional Assistant Superintendent of Talent Kriste Davis said that SISD’s current TIA plan might be keeping some teachers from leaving, but isn’t effective enough to draw more instructors in.
She said the new Strategic Compensation plan builds a report card based on district priorities and will allow teachers to be paid by performance, a non-traditional pay scale.
“We transition from the traditional step and ladder pay system to a performance-based system,” Davis said. “We are moving into strategic staffing or compensation because that is the next natural step to go further with our TIA funds.”
Davis also said that putting a Strategic Compensation plan in place will make SISD eligible for enhanced TIA, which is a big goal for the district.
In other business, the managers:
• discussed the recent accountability ratings, and plans to dig into the date to determine where to work;
• approved 2025 District Improvement Plan;
• approved an interlocal agreement between Shepherd ISD and San Jacinto County for road maintenance;
• approved donations to the district; and
• approved expenditures greater than $50,000, including a plan to replace Chromebooks.
The next meeting is Sept. 18 at 6 p.m.
