Sherman Independent School District approves tax rate
<p>BY CONNIE HARSHMAN
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<p>HERALD DEMOCRAT
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<p>After a year of financial turmoil, the Sherman School Board happily approved a balanced budget for the 2009-2010 school year.
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<p>More than 20 Sherman ISD administrator and teacher positions -- among other budgetary costs -- were eliminated or not replaced in order to balance the 2009-10 budget. A failed rollback election in October 2008 propelled a string of difficult decisions by the school board and administrative staff to compensate for a $1.8-million budget shortfall.
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<p>Several positions were eliminated through attrition, said Superintendent Al Hambrick. There were a lot of positions that SISD administration thought they would replace in the beginning of the year but decided not to, he said, "... which makes for a leaner budget." 
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<p>The central office budget was cut by 8 percent, said Assistant Superintendent Bruce Barnett. That is on top of the 10 percent cut from the previous year.
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<p>No one spoke during the public hearing for the budget.
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<p>The Board also approved the annual tax rate for the 2009-2010 school year at $1.44 per $100 valuation. Barnett recommended that the tax rate remain the same from the 2008-09 school year. 
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<p>In other financial business, the board approved a lunch rate increase for SISD students and adults. Current lunch prices are $1.85, $1.95 and $2,50 for elementary, secondary and adults. The rate will increase to $2, $2.20 and $2.75, respectively. The increase will provide a hike in local revenues of $50,000. Breakfast prices will also increase from 80 cents to $1 for students and from $1 to $1.50 for adults. The rates will apply to the students not eligible for free or reduced lunch. Barnett said 58 percent of SISD students qualify for the free or reduced lunch program. Wakefield Elementary School has the highest percentage. 
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<p>The board also:
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<ul><li>canceled the regular board meeting in July.
</li><li>granted Hambrick the authority to authorize contracts for the month of July. 
</li><li>held a public hearing for after-school child care. 
</li><li>approved the purchase of 215 computers for Fairview Elementary School.
</li><li>approved the acceptance of $3,668.72 in financial gifts to the district. The total amount of gifts equal $309,455.43 for the 2008-09 school year.
</li><li>approved a one-year contract for Brett Counce as principal of Perrin Learning Center.</li></ul>