After a year of financial turmoil, the Sherman School Board happily approved a balanced budget for the 2009-2010 school year.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
Comments ... 15 found!
It's working? : 7/3/2009
So, President Obama said his initiatives have done their job. Saved teacher jobs. Which teacher job was save with stimulus money? We were told that the money is being spent on programs, what programs? Exactly what is being done for our teachers?
disillusioned
Smarts and Book Smarts : 6/30/2009
You are right on target. And, for those of you who continue to indicate that the SISD is doomed without a TRE; Wrong! The SISD will be fine without a TRE!!!!!! That treat does not hold water!
B2373
It's Texas....deal with it. : 6/29/2009
In the know, The issue of hiring teachers because they are coaches is not a Sherman issue. That's the world we live in ESPECIALLY in the state of Texas. Whether you like or not sports, especially football, rules in the state of Texas. More wins = more people in the stands which then turns into more cash via merchandise sales, concessions, and alumni donations. So what are administrators to do when their very jobs depend on winning seasons? By the way for you to say that academia takes a back seat again because the positions have to be filled by coaches is outlandish. By that reasoning are you saying that coaches aren't good teachers? I firmly believe that the district places the strictest importance on academics. The coaches are in touch with the teachers concerning the players' grades and the principals do an outstanding job of holding the teachers accountable for the information being taught in their classrooms. Unfortunately for us we fight a losing battle with the community which offers no support. The community's attitude regarding the district is "What have you done for me lately". This transfers over into the student's mindset therefore perpetuating the cycle.
Smarts and book smarts
: 6/29/2009
I agree about the need to pass the TRE but as a member of the business community I don't think that the board understands that the public has no faith in Dr. Hambrick's ability to lead especially when it comes to finances and therefor as long as he is in charge the TRE is doomed.
Businessman
To all : 6/29/2009
There is a lot of "stuff" on here...some true some not. Our high school looked like a prison before the improvements were made, and it does look so much better, along with more classrooms that were so very much needed. Yes, there were many teachers who lost their jobs, but did you know that because sports is more important than academia, there are many positions that will not be filled until the new A.D. is hired. That folks is a real problem, because it is not about a teacher's quality, it is whether or not they coach. Education again takes a back seat. And the comment about the board members is true, they ALL vote. If you don't like what they do, vote them out. If the TRE does not pass soon, you will see a lot of suffering in the SISD. Good teachers will leave because they will get NO raise and less benifits. And that means the students suffer. And once that gets on a role, there will be no stopping it for years to come. Think people, think!
In the know
To Waiting : 6/28/2009
What do you think Frazier, Hendricks, and Whitfield's agendas are then if Hambrick only has to please them? What do you think they want him to do?
just curious
To Waiting : 6/28/2009
I believe that Mrs. Renshaw herself in the paper asked that in the future all board members be kept informed. What do you suppose she meant by this??? I am beginning to think that some of the board members are beginning to see that every thing is not well in our district and maybe before it is to late (if not already) they should do something. Hambrick knows he only has to please Frazier, Hendricks and Whitfield.
Waiting
: 6/28/2009
Lets not kid ourselves the budget is balanced because the administration and board decided to contribute less money toward employee health costs that is why the budget is balanced. I will not be surprised in the future if we are in the same boat again as Hambrick seems to have problems when it comes to managing money. Denison has a starting salary of 40,000 dollars teachers at sherman did not even receive a step increase so we will see .
Employee
To: VYELN : 6/28/2009
VYELN, you stated that M did not have hos or her facts straight but, other than to say SISD had better facilities, you gave no facts or said what M said that was incorrect! It doesn't sound to me like you have any facts to offer. People need to understand that most modern superintendents like to spend money like an Obama democrat. It's in their blood and, I think, in their training. It is ultimately up to the board to approve the budget and determine where the money will be spent. If they don't like what Big Al is doing, they can stop it. If you don't like what they are doing, do NOT re-elect them. It's that simple. As far as facilities, that should be a lower priority than academics and retaining good teachers. I simply cannot imagine a school district building new "state of the art" buildings, classrooms, athletic facilities, ADMINISTRATION buildings, etc, and laying teachers off!! This is a clear indication of priorities gone awry! I would rather my kid go to a mediocre building, but get a top education and be able to make it at a real college any day of the week! That is what counts but the supts don't always see it that way, especially if the board lets them. So, please do NOT complain on here unless you get out and vote to rid yourselves of what you consider the problem at SISD!
Taxpayer
To Waiting : 6/25/2009
Why is it just Frazier and Hendricks? If you have ever been to a school board meeting then you would know that When the school board votes on issues it is always a 7 to zero vote. The entire school board - every single member including Zorilla and Renshaw, represetning all corners of the city vote the exact same way.
just curious
: 6/24/2009
I thought that Hambrick told the board that Edwards job was being eliminated but I heard that they were going to fill it this summer. Most of the savings came from cutting the amount of money that the district paid toward insurance. To VYELN are you speaking for all parents? Hambrick spends money like no tomorrow and none of it goes to the classroom that is why the TRE did not pass and will not pass as long as he is in charge. He only surrounds himself with yes people and this is not good for students, parents or the district. The real test will be coming this spring when Frazier and Hendricks are up for reelection. Zorillia and Renshaw are okay but the others have tarnished this district for years to come. I also agree with Give Us The Facts the Herald Democrat should do more investigative reporting it helps keep people ethical and exposes incompetence.
Waiting
Great Facilities??? : 6/23/2009
I'd rather have older facilities, and better academic programs for our kids "To M." Go and look at some of these so called great facilities. The three new buildings were totally thrown together last minute. There are mess ups everywhere. go look in the "brand new" cafeteria at Washington. There is a huge hole in the wall. How is it fixed? A desk has been shoved in front of it so it can't be seen from a distance. Walk around Sory, Washington NEblett, and ask about what works and what doesn't work. Trust me, the doesn't work list is a lot longer. Kids at Sory did without a lot because money wassn't budgeted for crazy things like ???library furniture? Oh wow! What a shocker, Sherman didn't have a good plan! Denison is doing great things right up the road. New facilities do not make a good school, great administration and great employees do. Denison obviously has the later, but Sherman???
Hmmm
To M : 6/23/2009
Your information is not factual. Apparently, you are are upset because something did not go your way. You should be ashamed at publically criticizing people "who do work hard for our kids". To compare SISD facilities with Denison ISD facilities is "Certainly a Joke"--- there is no comparison. SISD facilities will run circles around Denison ISD Facilities at every site with the exception of the Central Office and this should change in 10 months. Our children are performing; we have excellent facilities; yes --- the district has a balance budget; etc., etc. Get your facts straight; this may be the reason that you are upset in the beginning. Parents are tired of you alls sour grapes. Take a vacation.
VYELN
What a joke! : 6/23/2009
This whole "through attrition" bit is a joke. They gave teachers the choice to be nonrenewed or to resign. For those of you not teachers, it is not good to have a nonrenewal on your resume, so they decided to resign. There wasn't all of this natural attrition Hambrisk likes to throw out there. There are countless people in Central Office who do nothing. Just try cancelling your insurance or getting questions about benefits answered. The person in charge of that has cost employees, and the district thousands of dollars through her incompetence. Then there is my personal favorite - Chuck Edwards. He was the district's head of facilities. He retired this year, but the district rehired him as a consultant and is paying him more than before he retired! IF you've been around the new schools you know what a joke he is! Just go take a look at washington, it was literally thrown together and there are probelms all over the place. Go to Sory and look at the way the sod was laid. Go to Neblett and look at the fact they never finished the landscaping. The school board needs to get rid of Edwards, Hambrick and all of the others of their kind before it is too late. Take a look at Denison, why can't Sherman acheive what they are????
M.
In-Depth Reporting : 6/23/2009
The Herald Democrat article on the Sherman school tax rate and balanced budget was good. However. the need for more in-depth information and reporting seems to be obvious. Where were the cuts made other than the 20 positions? Your article only mentioned "among other budgetary costs." So tell the readers - what were they? What program changes or cuts will impact the kids? What competitive salary and benefit changes could affect attracting and retaining the best teachers and staff? More information and investigative reporting, please.
Give Us the Facts
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