UCISD spending, income to be topic of workshops

Chief financial officer resigns after three months

by Melissa Federspill, staff writer

Before his resignation was accepted Monday night, Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District chief financial officer Juan Zamora presented the 2019-2020 school year budget timeline and general budget information to trustees.

Zamora said that the district will be holding several budget workshops in the next two months, with public hearings slated for Aug. 5 and Aug. 19.

“Our revenue sources are local property taxes and state revenues, which are based on property values, collections, and average daily attendance,” said Zamora. The district also receives federal funding.

Projected revenue for the 2019-2020 school year is $42,956,100, sourced from local revenues, state revenues, federal revenues, and other sources, with projected appropriations of $42,175,277.

“Estimated revenues will continue to be recalculated as new information and guidance is received from TEA,” said Zamora.

Zamora also addressed student attendance rates.

“Student attendance has been on a decline,” said Zamora, “but we are hoping to level out in the next few years.”

Data indicates that district enrollment has declined from 4,771 students in 2015-16 to 4,273 students in 2019-20.  “For every 75 student decline in enrollment the district may loose approximately $500,000,” said Zamora.

“Property values show an average increase of 8.75 percent over the past 10 years,” added Zamora.

Zamora also reported that health insurance premiums will be increasing at all levels.

Further budget discussion included the state funding changes due to House Bill 3, and the estimated $600,000 operating cost of Crossroads Academy. Federal funds were not discussed in the budget presentation.

The board discussed options for disbursement of House Bill 3 mandated pay raises and will evaluate options during the next budget workshop, scheduled for July 15.  The estimated cost of required salary increases with new state funds is $610,782.

UCAD

Roberto Valdez, chief appraiser for Uvalde County, gave an appraisal program overview, highlighting collection statistics for 2018 and the basics of the Texas property tax system.

For the 2018 tax year and as of June 13, 2019, the district had collected 15,972 payments for a total of $40,451,841, which includes current year and delinquent year taxes. One payment can be for multiple accounts and one account may be paid in multiple payments.Valdez also said that the district has mailed 18,551 appraisal notices for 2019.

Closed Session

Trustees also met in closed session to discuss personnel employments, assignments, suspensions, and terminations.

In their action, the board approved the employment of 15 new staff members, including Griselda Aguirre-Garcia as Afterschool Centers on Education project director, and Mario Ferron Sr. as director of bilingual English as a Second Language and migrant education; Mario Ferron Jr., academic dean for Uvalde High School; Norma Garcia-Hill, assistant campus administrator, Uvalde High School; Mandy Pruitt, assistant campus administrator, Dalton Early Childhood Center; Shawna Wolbert, assistant prinicpal, Anthon Elementary; Benjamin Brinkley, special education co-teacher, Uvalde High School; Loretta Dalrymple, educational diagnostician, special education department; Petrice De La Cruz, Spanish teacher, Uvalde High School; Vanessa Enriquez, teacher, Flores Elementary; David Garza, social studies, Crossroads Academy; Melissa Kindell, teacher, Flores Elementary; Kathrin Kraus, teacher, Anthon Elementary; Monica Martinez, teacher, Robb Elementary; Lauren Rabon, teacher, Robb Elementary; and Gianna Salazar, teacher, Robb Elementary.

The board accepted 14 resignations, including chief financial officer Juan Zamora, who started with the district in March 2019; Alicia Charles, director of bilingual ESL and migrant education, Mirna Lopez, special education; Erika Soto, athletic trainer, Uvalde High School; Julie Cruz, teacher, Flores Elementary; Melanie Ireton, teacher, Uvalde High School; Ashley Longoria, teacher, Batesville; Katie Martinez, teacher, Anthon Elementary; Regina Miles, teacher, Robb Elementary; Jason Nguyen, teacher, Flores Elementary; Alexiana Rodriguez, teacher, Robb Elementary; William Shrum, teacher, Morales Junior High; Katie Stallings, teacher, Robb Elementary; and Clarissa Zamora, teacher, Morales Junior High.

(The story does not continue beyond this line.)

Juan Zamora