By Nancy Whitney

Staff Writer

[email protected]

Summer may have just begun for area kids, but Wylie ISD is in preparation mode for the upcoming school year.

During the district’s June 15 trustee meeting, the board approved its 2015-’16 budget.

As required, a public hearing was held before the budget was put to a vote. No one spoke during the public comments.

The district budgeted general fund revenues of $111,557,013 is based on a 7 percent increase in property valuations. The tax rate associated with the budget will not be adopted until mid-August. Revenues are estimated at 46 percent from local entities, 54 percent from state groups and less than one percent from federal agencies.

General fund expenditures total $111,557,013, with payroll being the largest line item at 84 percent, or $89,790,171. Employees will receive a 3 percent mid-point raise this year. Non-payroll expenditures total $21,766,842, or 19.5 percent of total expenses, and will encompass cost for TRS On-Behalf, contracted services, supplies and materials, miscellaneous operating expenses, debt service and capital outlay.

The district’s 2014-’15 budget included general fund revenues and expenditures of $106,993,088 each.

Student meal prices will increase for elementary and intermediate schools from $2.30 to $2.40. Meal prices at the junior high and high school levels will remain the same at $2.50 and $2.75.

Approved separately from the budget, as required by state law, was an expenditure of $220,000 for accelerated instruction. According to the Texas Education Code, it is required that a school district provide each student who failed to perform satisfactorily on an End of Course assessment receive accelerated instruction in the applicable subject area. HB 5 emphasized the amount be included separately to accommodate for the expense.

In other business, Wylie High Principal Virdie Montgomery presented a donation check from MPG Marketing for $18,568 to be used for football. Wylie East Principal Mike Williams presented a check for $14,025 from the Wylie East High School Athletics Booster Club to be used for a new hitting machine for the baseball team.

Amy Hillin presented information on the Student Health Advisory Council and their suggestions for the 2015-’16 school year. The SHAC council is composed of 25 parents and community members who make recommendations to the board in regard to student nutrition and health. The SHAC made several suggestions.

Mike Lipe presented a signed proclamation from Governor Greg Abbott marking Wylie as one of the Best Communities for Music Education. Wylie ISD received an award from the NAMM Foundation for the school district’s efforts in music education.

Trustees cancelled their July meeting and the next meeting will be held August 17. Executive session convenes at 6 p.m. followed by open session at 7 p.m. Meetings are held at the Education Service Center located at 951 S. Ballard Avenue.