Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Taxes And Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Efficiency audit: East Central ISD seeks five‑penny M&O increase to raise about $6.6M
Summary
An efficiency audit presented to the East Central ISD board shows the district receives roughly $976 less per student than peer districts and recommends information for voters ahead of a Nov. 5 M&O tax‑rate election. The district says the increase would fund staff retention and safety measures.
An efficiency audit presented by Amber, a representative for the firm contracted to perform the review, told the East Central ISD Board of Trustees that the district is seeking an additional five cents (five "pennies") on its maintenance and operations (M&O) tax rate, which the district estimates would generate about $6.6 million annually and cost the average homeowner about $85 a year.
"The purpose of the efficiency audit is to provide information to voters regarding school district fiscal management, efficiency, and utilization of resources," Amber said, adding that "the efficiency audit does not say whether a school district is deficient or not." The audit is a legislature‑required step whenever a district seeks a voter authorization to adopt an increased M&O tax rate.
The audit compared East Central to similar districts and found the district receives about $976 less per student than its selected peers and $1,665 less than the statewide average. Staffing and payroll patterns were similar to peers in many respects, though the audit noted East Central’s teacher turnover rate at roughly 24 percent — modestly higher than the peer average — and that the district’s unassigned fund balance is within recommended ranges.
District officials told the board the proposed revenue would be used for priorities the community has raised: recruiting and retaining experienced staff, increasing school safety and security measures, and adding an army officer at each campus where required. Amber said the firm estimated the additional revenue would keep the district’s tax rate roughly in line with peers if voters approve the measure.
Board members were reminded the efficiency audit must be posted on the district website at least 30 days before the election; the presenter referenced an Oct. 5 posting deadline and noted early voting dates. The board is scheduled to consider related election materials and additional outreach in advance of the Nov. 5 election.
The report and comparative tables are available in the board packet; the district’s administrators told trustees they will distribute the full audit and related explanatory materials to the community and answer follow‑up questions in a forthcoming special meeting.
