Harlingen ISD releases new budget

HARLINGEN - The budget for the 2009-2010 school year is estimated to increase only by close to $200,000, from $33,250,551 to $33,444,242, but a 2.9 percent increase in local property values should allow for 3 percent raises for teachers, Assistant Superintendent for Business Julio Cavazos told school board members Wednesday.

Federal stimulus funds and increased state funding will provide for raises and for funding 31 new teachers for the kindergarten program and other new positions, Cavazos said.

New state funding includes $3.8 million and $2.3 million for full-day kindergarten, Cavazos said. However, costs such as utilities will also increase when kindergarten is a full-day program, he said.

Total preliminary estimated revenue for the school district is $129.5 million, Cavazos said.

In early budget planning a deficit is estimated at $25,132, but the school board will have another budget workshop session in July and then will make final budget decisions in August, he said.

A proposal in the state Legislature to allow all school boards to increase taxes 2 cents for each $100 in property value without going to the voters now seems to have been dropped, Cavazos said.

Harlingen school district's tax rate is now 1.1250, or $1.125 for each $100 in property value, compared with $1.0923 for Brownsville, $1.145 for McAllen, $1.30 for San Benito and $1.1397 for Weslaco, according to Harlingen school district figures.

In other business, the school board:

n Approved a trip for the Harlingen High School South drama and debate team to attend the National Forensic League National Finals June 13 to June 20 in Birmingham, Ala. Nine students will compete in the program.

n Tabled action on leasing space on part of the southeast tower at Boggus Stadium to Crickett Communications.