JISD gets updates

Brian Smith

Jacksboro ISD board members approved the 2022-23 budget and tax rate during a special called meeting Wednesday, Aug. 31.

The $13,259,158 budget is balanced, according to Business Manager Christy Thomas. She said few changes were made from the preliminary budget submitted to the board earlier in the month.

There some instructional aides added to the next fiscal year budget along with the purchase of some athletic uniforms. Some were able to be paid out of the 21-22 budget, but some will not arrive until the next fiscal year.

The addition of a new bus and SUV for the district is done every year, Thomas said, at a cost of about $130,000. Thomas said the Transportation Department has the option to rotate vehicles out every year if it sees fit.

A tax rate of $1.3817 per $100 valuation was also approved, which is split $0.9217 for maintenance and operations, and $0.46 for interest and sinking.

She also said the district is told by the state what the tax rate will be. Districts plug in numbers into a state formula and get their tax rate.

In other news:

• A public hearing was held on the district’s Safe Return to Instruction Plan, which has been in place since COVID-19 began in 2020. JISD Superintendent Brad Burnett said the plan has become more friendly to instruction with some of the guidelines being relaxed.

Burnett said COVID-19 will now be treated like the flu or any other illness. Anyone that has it will be asked to quarantine for five days. Once the person goes 24 hours without a fever without medication they will be allowed to return to school.

COVID-19 has had a massive impact on education particularly at the elementary school, Burnett said. To address the reading and math losses in education, the district has hired tutors to go indepth with students in reading.

Burnett said the progress has been noticed. This year’s focus will be in math with Burnett saying he’s excited to see what kind of progress can be made there.

• A facility vision committee has been formed made up of community members, board members, teachers, and others. The group will work with Gallagher Construction, which was hired to identify the needs in the district.

The committee will work with the company for the rest of the year. Their recommendations are expected to be presented to the board this January for a potential bond issue.

Burnett noted facilities such as the band hall and athletic locker room bursting because of increased numbers that come with increased enrollment. That forces band directors and coaches to work harder to get student needs met.

Todd Wilson with Gallagher Construction says the company likes to look from two to 10 years out.

“We don’t want to build something and five years later wish we had done something else,” Wilson explained. “We’re going to be thorough.”

Burnett said the heating and air conditioning at the facilities is about 15 years ago. Even though the district and its maintenance staff take pride in what they have, things do wear out.

“Kids are tough on facilities,” Burnett said with a laugh. “Having a long range plan will definitely help.”

The committee’s first meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sept. 19.

• A tornado construction update was also provided. Work on the press box continues with flooring along with heating and air conditioning the main upgrades still needed.

Work on the scoreboard also continues with the main electronics needing to be in a climate controlled environment, Burnett said. Fencing has been installed around the stadium with locals installed in the proper places.

At the elementary school, playground equipment has been installed thanks in part to some generous corporate donations from Colt Midstream and Phillips 66. The roof at the elementary school is being finished up.

The district did discover a problem with the south wall of the JHS Ag Building which had some structural damage that was discovered during an inspection. In the meantime, Burnett said the wall will be shored up with some reinforcing metal tubes which will allow students and teachers to get back inside the building in about three weeks.

Bids for the elementary school gym will be opened Sept. 29, Burnett said. Construction there will be about a 12-month process.

Work on the high school gym has been delayed because of a lot more engineering work being needed, Burnett said.