[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6141227,"mediaKeyId","5576052-c7d8cd01fe18a801b6a28c2b97c5e2f0","parentId",5576052,"title","Board reviews SRO contract, 20‑day tutors, Perkins plan and other action items; votes to follow Aug. 19","audioSeconds",564,"startMs",11892000,"endMs",12456000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576052-c7d8cd01fe18a801b6a28c2b97c5e2f0&start=11892&end=12456","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576052-c7d8cd01fe18a801b6a28c2b97c5e2f0/thumbnail_11892000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6141227/Georgia/Board-reviews-SRO-contract-20day-tutors-Perkins-plan-and-other-action-items-votes-to-follow-Aug-19","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6141227-7a17e89b2d53eccb39fdc1f40bdb05c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770501737&Signature=h7tsW3QZbgRHlsHJxr4ooMpKlG9gSbYyAbNVJ0UiT4NCHnpHJfEkADmLbCd8n0VeZGaDfeeOHHZ3AY2V8TdtXpYYybYYYOZl73ELLUJS9CrZ58aoY-P~Q3IIgXHsbK-E6F34vwzvpuQzt5mLm3GJ0mQ0cr0YS2jjKeVfxh6mvR-x~pHJnMgfOlstskIJxuXfqO1d5Rsrg6-ENkqsz34aAXbDKoZJ5VsZ5F8PDTe8Jjblc~e~7ul6srtAuufwPmZrsDS0uKccjrjigYiS7-0SUdG~6dBmwzZVTlsueK-0zW5bJe2zEq49nD7Hif0SiOUJaGtTQHYxTe0eeR1maHP0uQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-08-08T13:14:10Z","article","The Harris County Board of Education reviewed several action‑agenda items Aug. 7 and scheduled votes on those items for the next regular meeting on Aug. 19.

SRO contract and equipment: Superintendent Dr. Finney said the proposed School Resource Officer (SRO) contract for the 2025‑26 school year contains no pay changes this year and that the district is arranging to provide body armor for SROs. Finney said the body‑armor purchase is planned in the budget; the board will review and vote on the contract and related purchases at its Aug. 19 meeting.

20 additional day tutors: The board reviewed a proposed list of tutors to be hired under 20‑additional‑day grants for the 2025‑26 year; staff said tutors will work primarily at elementary schools. No final action was taken Aug. 7; the board will consider the list for approval on Aug. 19.

Perkins CTE local plan: The board reviewed the fiscal year 2026 Perkins local plan for career and technical education at the high school and was told this annual application to receive Perkins funds requires board review and acceptance before the state award is processed.

Major purchases and finance reports: The superintendent reviewed a packet of summer purchases and renewals — including technology hardware, software subscriptions and facility repairs — and questioned items such as a breaker replacement at Mulberry Creek; staff said that replacement addressed a main power leg failure. Finance staff reported a fund balance of about $9,000,004.72 and explained revenue timing issues tied to the tax commissioner’s processing of homestead exemptions and the tax collection calendar, and warned that any shortfall could require short‑term borrowing (a tax anticipation note) that must be repaid within the fiscal year.

Ending: The board indicated items on the consent and action agendas will return for formal votes at the Aug. 19 meeting and that staff will provide any additional documentation requested by members before that date.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Harris County BOE - Public Tax Hearing and Board Committee Meeting 8/7/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Harris County Board of Education reviewed several action‑agenda items Aug. 7 and scheduled votes on those items for the next regular meeting on Aug. 19.","taxTitle","Harris County, School Districts, Georgia","taxId",38460,"location","Georgia","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6141234,"Residents and some board members question cost and choice of weapons‑detection system amid safety upgrades",4648,4284000,8932000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576052-c7d8cd01fe18a801b6a28c2b97c5e2f0&start=4284&end=8932","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576052-c7d8cd01fe18a801b6a28c2b97c5e2f0/thumbnail_4284000.jpg","/articles/6141234/Georgia/Residents-and-some-board-members-question-cost-and-choice-of-weaponsdetection-system-amid-safety-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6141234-f8f003a5f391b44ef4e9dcfde14c0f95/orig.mp4?Expires=1770501737&Signature=Hsy9Z80bBNgHx~F-Wui7yJRFEAmoBMmANByDghoIuly-4WI0cGSuap8oqHOvyG7Sn5wZ7X0rhGfqH-1dM2DhNFnSivqylx59CURi6Dkmq0B9GD7ETdqxXN2niJ2aclgMJmzIAa21eE4lHARr8UjwWfF~jCsKqoJUTxXkcRyxRV5V3fXROeeCyT9jBfwGnMIZ~2-404yGFfMMWgMIWX0r8Zr-TDea7E6xFKWI0Q9uj2XNUM-fpwRMM4EvZsUrdUiHyK~zLUMFi6rM35cIFCYcXV6wMSOUsnc~MCFoMWJz389t5qXoLaXDyiOEPlzJ4SIPYcECIWSmi7OzAFWo6rRWjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Harris County School District officials said the district has implemented a multilayered safety program this year that includes a new emergency alert system, SRO coverage at each school, and newly installed weapons‑detection equipment.

Superintendent Dr. Finney said the district recently had “our maiden voyage with our new weapons detection systems” and described a required emergency alert/badge system and SRO presence at each school as part of compliance with state measures. He estimated combined safety and security measures exceed $1 million this year and said the district is budgeting for those costs.

Some citizens challenged the purchase and the projected cost. Public commenter Brian McKeen and later speaker who reviewed procurement details questioned whether the district had pursued lower‑cost alternatives. One commenter provided figures saying the district will spend about $729,000 over four years leasing a particular vendor’s detection units, with annual software or lease fees that the commenter described as “$21,250 per unit per year” and a roughly $170,000 per year recurring cost; he suggested alternative systems that he said cost substantially less per unit.

At the meeting, a lengthy public critique urged the board to examine vendor claims and false‑positive rates and to require stronger cost‑benefit analysis before committing ongoing funds. The same commenter also referenced a federal settlement involving marketing claims by the vendor and urged the district to consider alternatives including traditional metal detectors and other vendors that, he said, achieve similar performance at lower cost.

Board members and staff said district staff and vendor representatives are reviewing operations and adapting procedures following first‑day use; administrators reported the new systems were used successfully on the first day of school. The superintendent also said the district is in the process of acquiring body armor for SROs, and that the SRO contract will be reviewed on the Aug. 19 agenda.

Ending: The district will continue to refine operations and will present formal contract and purchase items to the board for approval at upcoming meetings; members and several public speakers asked for published performance data and comparative procurement analysis before long‑term commitments are finalized.

","The board and superintendent described multilayered safety measures including a newly installed weapons detection system and SROs; public commenters and some board members questioned vendor selection and cost, suggesting lower‑cost alternatives and requesting data on efficacy and false positives.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6141239,"Harris County school board holds first public hearing on proposed 18.5‑mill tax rate",5462,3637000,9099000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576052-c7d8cd01fe18a801b6a28c2b97c5e2f0&start=3637&end=9099","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576052-c7d8cd01fe18a801b6a28c2b97c5e2f0/thumbnail_3637000.jpg","/articles/6141239/Georgia/Harris-County-school-board-holds-first-public-hearing-on-proposed-185mill-tax-rate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6141239-6b1961eb1f551549e783cec7ae62cb1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770501737&Signature=G7lLK0m7~F8G4g2Ipj2890IYSdIc-jvai91UQmdMIglrlS6DcI54mKWh~ERpskG0eNeuZ6OvvcXwW1e94f5ntJLxhcuV-HzsI3rP4zaw2pkUSaoiwEr5JKh5JH4xWUpnDuBKQMqFZDwEyD6IyGdWHjZFzfi4AyEiavrLvcBs0cgV3~TT0VQUQs7hyrLVA1zkxMRt78xhdxuiocSjq~Bh0rTI6qZrw-x6GQpKi37QhSi7MM3YFONupZzCT1P~mmHX4m2~84MrJNj0J~bENOvQkgjyAcMpHHE3AUUzfN3AuRtFNG~L6bpLYaCgcirULoi9Z5hu3t-L7tPHJFIr6ACsiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Garnet Ray, chair of the Harris County Board of Education, opened a public hearing Aug. 7 on the district’s tentative millage rate and said the board has “tentatively adopted a millage rate of 18.5 mills,” an increase the district calculates as a 15.44% rise over the rollback rate of 16.025 mills.

The increase, Superintendent Dr. Finney told the audience, is intended to cover rising mandatory costs and locally driven needs including employer health benefits and teacher retirement contributions, new state curriculum materials, multilayered safety protocols and continued transportation and operational expenses. “We’re already incurring these costs,” Finney said, listing a roughly $1 million increase for state health benefits and a comparable rise in teacher retirement contributions that took effect July 1.

Why it matters: A millage change affects homeowners directly. Finney provided an example: on a $400,000 fair market value home, the district estimates the proposed increase would add about $320 in annual property tax; he said non‑homestead property at $250,000 would see roughly a $200 increase. He also noted that roughly 57% of the district’s tax digest is residential property while about 8% is commercial and industrial, and urged that commercial development is one long‑term solution to tax pressure.

Public commenters strongly disagreed about the size of the increase and the district’s budget choices. Brian McKeen, a resident who reviewed state grant programs, told the board that recent reassessments on agricultural land make the district eligible for Forest Land Protection Act (FLPA) grants and that those grants will increase with the millage rate; McKeen calculated the FLPA grant at $666,352 at the current 16.5 rate and about $747,122 at 18.5 mills, and argued that the district’s own numbers justify closer to a 1.39‑mill increase rather than 2 mills. “How do you justify more than a 1 mil increase when a 1 mil increase results in an almost dead‑on mathematical figure of your bucket,” McKeen said.

Several residents, including Connie Guy and Steve Lehi, urged the board to hold the millage steady or raise it by less than proposed, warning of hardship for seniors and households on fixed incomes. “A millage increase on top of widespread valuation increases quickly compounds into oppressive taxation for our most vulnerable,” Guy said. Lehi and other commenters cited U.S. Census and county figures to say a significant share of residents are 60 or older and on limited incomes.

Officials and staff clarified tax mechanics and timing. Shelly Mallory, the county’s chief appraiser, explained that House Bill 581 (the 3‑year revaluation requirement) requires appraisers to revalue property at least every three years and that the county’s agricultural land had not been revalued for about 18 years. “We were required by the Department of Revenue to be within compliance,” Mallory said, adding that 42% of rural properties actually decreased in value during the revaluation and that homestead exemptions can remove inflationary growth from taxable value. Mallory urged homeowners who believe they qualify for homestead or senior exemptions to file with the tax assessor before the deadline.

Budget context provided by staff: Finney said the district’s total operating budget is about $88 million, with roughly 78% going to salaries and benefits. He warned the board expects to lose approximately $3.7 million in equalization revenue next year and that continued growth in student enrollment will require additional classrooms and eventually new schools; he estimated a new elementary could cost $27 million to $30 million given construction inflation. He also noted the district carries debt from prior bonds, including roughly $24 million for Carver Middle School, and that one mill of taxation produces about $1.9 million for the district.

Process and next steps: The board emphasized the hearing is one of several required public sessions and that the board will continue discussing the millage before a final vote. Members said the final millage decision is scheduled for the board meeting on Aug. 19, and residents were told the tax digest and exemptions remain subject to final processing by the tax commissioner’s office. Finney and staff warned the district might need to use short‑term borrowing if revenues fall short before property tax collections are remitted in December–January.

Ending: With strong turnout and sharply divided public comments, the board left the proposal open for revision before the Aug. 19 vote, and staff encouraged homeowners to check homestead exemption status and other tax‑relief qualifications with the tax assessor’s office.

","At a public hearing Aug. 7, Harris County School District officials defended a proposed tentative millage rate of 18.5 mills, citing rising state-mandated personnel costs, safety upgrades and a shrinking commercial tax base; residents urged smaller increases and more budget cuts or alternative revenue sources.","actionData","errors"]

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Board reviews SRO contract, 20‑day tutors, Perkins plan and other action items; votes to follow Aug. 19

Residents and some board members question cost and choice of weapons‑detection system amid safety upgrades

Harris County school board holds first public hearing on proposed 18.5‑mill tax rate