May’s meeting of the Taylor Independent School District board came jam-packed with the swearing-in of two trustees, a fond farewell to one and recognitions for students and teachers. Newcomer Rachel Westerman and incumbent board Vice-president Shorty Mitchell, both of whom ran unopposed May 2, were sworn into office Monday evening.
Chief Financial Officer Jina Self also reviewed the district’s financial stewardship with plans to adopt a budget in June.
Meanwhile, newly elected Taylor Mayor Jim Buzan was honored for his school board service during the May 19 meeting. He is required to step down from the board because he now holds another elected office.
Westerman, who ran for Buzan’s atlarge Taylor ISD seat, joked during a recognition of Buzan’s service: “Thanks for getting out of the way.” Buzan is a Taylor native and owns the 74 Man Store; Westerman is the membership and operations director at the Greater Taylor Chamber of Commerce.
The other trustees went down the row, one by one, with kind words for Buzan.
School board President Marco Ortiz said Buzan exemplified values of honor, courage and commitment.
“I especially want to point out the commitment part because of the commitment (Buzan) has shown to the students of our district. He’s mentored our students, he’s helped our students,” Ortiz said.
Buzan received a plaque and a Taylor Duck football helmet signed by all the board members.
Trustees Anita Volek and Cheryl Carter were also recognized for their service to Taylor ISD. Volek has spent 20 years on the board and Carter has served 10 years.
Meanwhile, no action needed to be taken on the financial reports provided to trustees about the district’s bond update or the Texas Association of School Board’s salary study for Taylor ISD.
In addition, trustees heard an update on the Texas Tax Code Chapter 313 agreement, also known as the Texas Economic Development Act.
According to an online directory, the agreement creates a state tax incentive program for large businesses to limit the appraised value of their property related to public school-district property taxes.
Samsung Austin Semiconductor is one of the companies involved in a 313 agreement with Taylor ISD.
During a two-week period in March, Self noted the district had seen an $8 million swing in values associated with the 313 agreement, which has now swung back in the school’s favor.
“Swings are normal for school finance,” Self said. “This has been a wonderful swing, but it’s still a swing.”
Self also walked trustees through the upcoming financial process, which includes the adoption of a budget at the June meeting.
A final tax rate will be approved in September.
Budgets need to be in place by Oct. 1.
Also during the meeting, the trustees honored the top teachers from each campus as well as Taylor High School’s valedictorian Rylee Michna and salutatorian Farrah Elliot.
Michna was also lauded for her fourth consecutive University Interscholastic League state tennis championship.
Graduation is 7:30 p.m. Friday at Taylor High’s stadium, known as the Duck Pond.
The next meeting is 6:45 p.m. June 22 in the Taylor ISD boardroom, 3101 N. Main St.
