Taxes on the ballot for Coupland COUPLAND — Taxes will be front and center for voters headed to the polls Nov. 4.
In addition to 17 state constitutional amendments, Coupland residents are being asked to reauthorize a sales tax for street maintenance.
Meanwhile, patrons of the Coupland Independent School District will also have to make a decision about additional funding for operations.
Early voting runs through Oct. 31.
VATRE
Coupland ISD trustees this summer voted to place a Voter Approved Tax Ratification Election on the ballot calling for an increase to fund the maintenance and operations, or M&O, tax rate for day-to-day operational expenses.
If the VATRE is approved, the M&O tax rate increases by 3 cents, bringing the total school tax rate to $1.19 per $100 valuation.
Supporters say the hike will pay for additional staff, salaries and supplies.
The 3 cents are not subject to state recapture and all the funds would stay in the district, officials said.
If approved, residents with a $190,000 assessed property value would see an increase of $1.25 per month or about $15 per year.
A $390,000 assessed property value would see an uptick in levies of $6.25 per month or about $75 per year.
Coupland ISD
Coupland School Principal Brian Booker reported Coupland ISD earned an 88 from the Texas Education Agency’s A-F accountability system for the 2024-25 school year.
Coupland has 322 students, with 11.1 students per teacher, and the B ranking is 88 out of 100.
“Kudos to all of our students and teachers for their hard work, academic growth and progress,” Booker said.
In addition, Coupland ISD also received “superior” for financial management, the highest rating possible, officials said.
In other news, Booker recently held an assembly to review The Cowboy Way.
“Our motto is RIDE: respect, integrity, dedication to learning, exceeds expectations,” he said.
Extracurricular activities have kept students busy as well.
The cross-country team arrived early Sept. 6 to run the first Annual Granger Lake Chase. Homecoming was Oct. 2 with a flag football game.
New middle school Coupland ISD Superintendent Earl Parcell said CR 460 in front of the new middle and high school will be widened.
The Williamson County project will add one travel lane in each direction, a continuous 14-foot center turn lane and right-turn lanes at two planned driveways for the future school.
Construction is set to finish by fall 2026. Also, an additional building will be added to the high school level.
Parcell’s State of the District presentation can be found on YouTube at https://youtu.be/kJePb-6vN1As.
St. Peter’s Church of Coupland St. Peter’s Church of Coupland, 108 Wathen St., has seen a busy few weeks, congregants said.
Coupland School Board greets students on the first day of school.
The Men’s Brotherhood is working on redoing the flower beds at the front of the church and along the west side. They also enjoyed an outing to Dell Diamond in Round Rock Sept. 13 and gathered Sept. 17 at the Lucky Duck in Taylor.
The Ladies’ Circle hosts free luncheons for seniors on the third Tuesday of every other month in the fellowship hall. The home-cooked meal is followed by bingo and dominoes.
Two new programs growing in popularity are the free Dance Fitness classes 7 p.m. Mondays and the Youth Group.
“The teenagers enjoyed getting to know each other better and discussed ideas for future activities” Prissy Rumel said about the Youth Group, The Community Connections group continues to grow and all are welcome in the conference room at 9:30 a.m.
Tuesdays for coffee and sometimes treats, sponsors said. The church’s September Mission Project involved the Family Village Farm in India, founded in 1969 to care for orphans and the elderly. The church has long supported the institution, which provides food, clothing and shelter in a home-like setting.
The Farm sends pictures of the children the congregation supports.
St. Peter’s sermons and special music are found at facebook.com/ stpeterscoupland. The monthly newsletter is at StPetersCoupland.org.
For more, call 512-8562433.
New Sweden Lutheran Church
The gardens around New Sweden Church and parish hall have received many updates and changes, with church officials thanking the Robbins and Strong families, as well as Mavis Takatsuka.
The church is at 12809 New Sweden Church Road in Manor.
The 150th anniversary of the church is April 26 with planning meetings the second Sunday of each month after the service.
The Church Council has reviewed, updated, and approved a revised version of the Constitution of the New Sweden Evangelical Lutheran Church.
In other business: • Ladies Bible Study and Potluck is 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of every month; guests are asked to bring snacks to share.
• Bible Study with the Rev. Hans Lillejord is 10 a.m. the second and fourth Tuesday.
• Adult Sunday School is 9:30 a.m. Sunday.
The class is now studying the 12 disciples — their background, purpose, mission, personality and encounters with Jesus,
• Game Days are 12:30 p.m. on the second, third and fourth Thursday of each month featuring card games, dominoes and snacks.
• Homesteading/ Everyday Living are free monthly classes open to church members, friends and the community. For more, call Gayle Anderson, 512-670-6945.
Upcoming classes — all at 7 p.m. — include dog care Oct. 22; coin collecting Nov. 5; and wreath making Nov. 19.
For more, visit www. newswedenchurch.org.
