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Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Brownsville ISD nears completion of 2025-26 budget
May 23—Just as the House and Senate were reaching a deal on an $8.5 billion funding package for Texas public schools, the Brownsville Independent School District was moving forward on next year's budget. Legislative leaders in Austin announced the deal on Thursday amid an ongoing battle over school finance. It appeared to strike a face-saving compromise for both chambers, which had been divided by the House's aim to bump up the basic per-student allotment and the desire in the Senate to prioritize teacher pay raises. Legislative leaders said the package in House Bill 2 represents a historic investment in public schools, although advocates say such an effort is long overdue and comes as school districts across the state are facing budget shortfalls brought on by six years of doing nothing to increase the basic per-student allotment, which has remained at $6,160 since 2019. Meanwhile, Brownsville ISD has been working right along on its 2025-2026 budget, which must be enacted by July 1, the start of the district's fiscal year. BISD is the largest district in the Edinburg-based Region One Education Service Center that stretches from Laredo to Brownsville. Its budget of nearly $579 million is larger than the city of Brownsville or Cameron County. Even as it consolidates schools and grows smaller because of changing demographics and a falling birth rate, it is still the largest employer south of San Antonio. But its schools and facilities have long-standing maintenance and modernization needs. Earlier this year, BISD tried to float a $350 million bond issue for just that purpose, but a divided Board of Trustees couldn't reach agreement on how to include a desired performing arts center, what schools to upgrade and other issues. House Bill 2 takes a different approach to the basic per-student allotment, which districts traditionally have used to pay for a range of other needs, including insurance, maintenance and instructional materials. Rather than raising the amount beyond the $55 proposed by the Senate, the deal would set aside $1.3 billion for a fund to cover some fixed costs, lawmakers said — essentially providing a different way to give districts the spending flexibility they had hoped for. BISD Superintendent Jesus H. Chavez said the state missed the mark. "While we appreciate the state's efforts to allocate additional funding, we remain concerned that the amount provided still falls short of what is truly needed," Chavez said in a statement to The Brownsville Herald. "Since the last legislative session, funding levels have not kept pace with the growing demands on public education. As a result, most districts—including BISD—continue to experience significant budget shortfalls. This ongoing gap makes it increasingly difficult to meet educational needs and places added financial strain on our local communities," the statement read. "BISD requires additional funding to properly maintain facilities, expand educational programs, and offer competitive salaries to attract and retain quality staff. At this time, the district is also uncertain about the financial impact that enrollment shifts and the implementation of school vouchers may have on our budget moving forward," Chavez added. In a statement to the Texas Tribune announcing the compromise, House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, said the deal "reflects constructive input from both chambers and parties, and a shared commitment to delivering historic school funding and teacher pay raises." Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the Republican Senate leader, called it "the most effective school finance bill in Texas history." At BISD's most recent budget committee meeting on Tuesday, members went over substitute teacher pay, nurses pay and other costs. In a presentation by Human Resources Director Linda Gallegos, it emerged that Brownsville substitute pay falls in the middle of the pack among similar-sized districts in Region One. In 2024-2025, the daily rate for certified substitutes ranged from a high of $185 at La Joya and Mission, to $180 at Donna, PSJA and Weslaco, $165 at Edinburg, $150 in Brownsville, $140 at Los Fresnos and Point Isabel, $135 at Harlingen and San Benito, $130 at Laredo United and $125 at McAllen. Administration substitutes earn $210 per day at Weslaco and $160 at Brownsville, the only two districts with that category. BISD has more than 800 active substitute teachers. Mondays and Fridays are the most-utilized days, with an average of 517 and 577, respectively. Tuesdays at 503, Wednesdays at 495 and Thursdays at 508, are right behind. Committee member Minerva Pena urged the administration to try to raise BISD rates so that it attracts the best talent. Nurses fall under professional instructional support and their pay is at 98% of market value, according to a study by the Texas Association of School Boards and Gallegos' presentation. BISD has one more budget workshop on June 9 before a June 26 special called Board of Trustees meeting to adopt the budget. The board is to adopt the district's tax rate at its Sept. 2 meeting. Featured Local Savings
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Brownsville ISD goes from A to B+ in TEA ratings
May 1—Brownsville ISD received a high B in the long awaited 2022-2023 Texas Education Agency school rankings, on-par with districts of similar size in the Rio Grande Valley. The Texas Education Agency released long-awaited grades for districts and schools on Thursday, the first time in five years the rankings have been released after several districts sued the state to challenge the ratings standards. The 15th Court of Appeals cleared Commissioner Mike Morath to release the results for 2022-2023, but the ratings for 2023-2024 are still tied up in a lawsuit. BISD received a B rating of 87, among the highest grade for districts in the Edinburg-based Region One Educational Service Center, which stretches from Laredo to Brownsville. A district needed a 90 rating to earn an A, according to the TEA. Superintendent Jesus H. Chavez expressed pride in BISD's teachers, principals and students, even though the district's rating went from A to B+. "I'm certainly very proud of our teachers and our principals. I know they also received help and guidance from the central office, the curriculum and instruction folks, and so I'm very proud of our district for the result we got for our student testing," he said. Although schools sometimes come in for criticism for doing too much testing, Chavez said testing done during the year helps teachers and principals tell whether students are learning in preparation for STAAR testing in the spring. Other Valley districts that received an 87 rating included McAllen, Los Fresnos, and Raymondville. Sharyland got an 89 and Pharr-San Juan-Alamo received an 86, while the South Texas Independent School District got the Valley's only A rating at 94. Weslaco received an 83, while the Point Isabel Independent School District received an 81. San Benito CISD got a C grade of 76. La Joya ISD got an 84. Chavez said the STAAR test that students have been taking in recent weeks is the seventh version of state standardized testing that TEA has conducted since he became an educator in the 1980s. Among BISD's seven high schools, Veterans Memorial, Pace, Hanna and Brownsville Early College High School received A ratings. Porter, Lopez and Rivera received Bs. Among middle schools, Besteiro, Faulk, Oliveira, Perkins, Stell and Vela received Bs. Lucio, Manzano and Stillman got an A, while Garcia got a C. Elementary schools receiving an A were Benavides, Breeden, Brite, Burns, Gonzalez, Hudson, Ortiz, Palm Grove, Paredes, Pullam and Vermillion Road. Elementary schools receiving a B were Aiken, Champion, Cromack-Casteneda, Del Castillo-Morningside, El Jardin, Garden Park, Garza at Southmost Elementary, Keller, Martin, Pena, Perez, Russell, Sharp, Villa Nueva and Yturria. Elementary schools receiving a C included Egly, Putegnat, and Skinner. Canales Elementary received a D. ------ RELATED READING: Featured Local Savings
Scotsman
29-04-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Edinburgh Summerhall venue: Developers refuse to say if arts hub will remain as Fringe venue in long term
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Developers working on plans for the future of Edinburgh's Summerhall arts hub have refused to say whether their proposals include the complex continuing as a Fringe venue in the long term. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Edinburgh-based AMA told the Evening News' sister paper The Scotsman that residential properties are to form a key part of the redevelopment of the former Royal (Dick) Vet School, but the site's future as a Fringe venue was undecided. The company - preferred bidders for Summerhall - said it planned to create residential and commercial space as well as continued arts provision in a "high quality redevelopment that will be beneficial to all". A contract to manage Summerhall is set to be agreed with AMA. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Summerhall has operated as an arts hub for 14 years and a major Fringe venue. And new charity Summerhall Arts is due to launch its 2025 Festival Fringe programme for the venue next week. A public consultation is planned on the future of the building. AMA is to work on plans for the complex - including obtaining formal planning consent - over the next three years. But it refused to comment on whether it would retain Summerhall as a Fringe venue in the longer term. The company, which is also behind the redevelopment of the former Scottish and Newcastle brewery site at Fountainbridge and other projects across the city, said the final make-up of the building would be dependent on the planning and consultation process and insisted it was "open minded". Dr Ali Afshar, co-founder and managing director of AMA, told The Scotsman the contract for his company's acqusition of Summerhall was subject to acquiring planning consent. In the meantime, it will remain under the current owner, Oesselmann Estate. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Day to day management was taken over last month by charity Scot-Art, previously known as Edinburgh Palette, which will work alongside Summerhall Arts, headed by former Summerhall chief executive Sam Gough to "provide year-round arts and cultural activities" at the venue. Edinburgh arts venue Summerhall has been hosting shows and exhibitions since 2011 | Supplied Dr Afshar said: "As a family owned, Edinburg-based company, we understand how deeply valued Summerhall is to the community here, and as its future custodian we will protect its historic legacy and forge a bright future for the estate. "Having now formally entered a contract to acquire Summerhall, we will begin to consider the next steps to shape its plans for the future. In the coming months, we will begin to undertake consultations with the local community and the city council." The mixed use development is likely to include a commercial element as well as "living space". More than 100 organisations, predominantly artists and creative or tech-focused companies, are already based at the site. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Dr Afshar added: "We anticipate that this consultation period will take a considerable time as we prepare to lodge a planning application, given Summerhall is a highly sensitive site. This lengthy period will enable us all to agree a way forward. We foresee that the result will be a mixed-use development, including both living and commercial space, while providing a facility to sustainably continue the provision of the arts.."
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Brownsville ISD trustees reject $350 million bond election on split vote
Feb. 14—A divided Brownsville ISD Board of Trustees defeated a proposed $350 million bond election on a split 3-3 vote on Thursday, failing to meet a state deadline to place the proposal before the voters. Board President Erasmo Castro was not present and did not participate virtually, as he had at earlier Facilities Committee meetings leading up to Thursday's vote. Castro reportedly is battling pancreatic cancer. The bond proposal the board failed to approve was option three among four presented to the Facilities Committee at those meetings. Approval would have resulted in a $350 million bond proposal to voters that set aside $25 million for a new Career and Technical Education center, prioritized the 42 most-urgent roofing and HVAC projects across the district totaling $263 million, and separately proposed a $62 million Performing Arts Center. BISD last year sold the former Cummings Middle School, now the district's CTE campus, to the city of Brownsville for $16 million to expand the Gladys Porter Zoo. The money is invested and BISD must move CTE operations elsewhere within five years. A Performing Arts Center has long been a district priority. Board Vice President Daniella Lopez Valdez and Trustees Jessica G. Gonzalez and Denise Garza voted for the proposal, with Trustees Carlos Elizondo, Frank Ortiz and Minerva M. Pena against. A simple majority was required for approval. Feb. 14 was the state deadline to call an election in May. The board can still call a bond election for November or for May 2026, but calling the election now, should voters have approved the proposal, would have allowed BISD enact a budget on June 30 with its bond debt, or I&S tax rate, unchanged at 24 cents per $100 of assessed property valuation, and still issue $350 million in bonded debt with voter approval, Chief Financial Officer Alejandro Cespedes has said. With the bond neither proposed nor approved, the maximum I&S tax rate BISD can enact for the 2025-26 fiscal year will be 13 cents, a decrease. For the past two years, BISD has paid down its bonded debt through defeasance resolutions, saving the district $1.5 million in bond interest and placing it in an advantageous position to call a bond election. Because of the defeasance payments, BISD must make bond payments for 2025 totaling just $39.68 million, a relatively small amount compared to other districts. Cespedes told the Facilities Committee on Monday that BISD has the lowest bonded debt among all districts in the Edinburg-based Region One Educational Service Center. Some districts of about BISD's size in San Antonio have bonded debt into the billions of dollars, he said, citing a state bond review board website. If BISD proposes a bond election in November or May 2026, one key calculation will be the fact that one cent in I&S tax levy produces $14.5 million in tax revenue, Cespedes has said. There is wide agreement that BISD facilities need roofing and HVAC upgrades. Air conditioning problems have been a recurring problem at several schools. Under the leadership of Superintendent Jesus H. Chavez, the BISD Board of Trustees established a Citizens Facilities Committee in November, which then conducted walk-through assessments of all district facilities. The committee, which numbered more than 100 members, issued its final report on Jan. 27, which recommended proposing a $350 million bond for roofing and HVAC improvements across BISD, and with a new CTE center as priority one. "Ultimately, we voted against putting roofs and HVACs for our children," Lopez Valdez said after Thursday's meeting, characterizing failure bring the bond proposal before the voters as a lost opportunity. "We unfortunately won't be able to maximize the debt that we have now. It'll be a smaller amount, but we can go back and work the numbers and try again in November. It won't be taking full advantage because this was a unique opportunity. ...We'll never get the $350 (million) but maybe we can go for 200. I feel that we should try again," she said. "It was a golden opportunity where all the stars aligned for us to be able to do this while not placing the burden of a tax increase on our community, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity where the citizens proposed what needed to be done. It was hours and hours of work that was done and was unfortunately voted against for, in my opinion, no reason. I think it's important to commend the citizens committee because they worked all of this, they went to all the schools" and proposed what needs to be done. Pena said she never got adequate answers as to where the $350 million was going to be spent and that she voted her conscience. "It was $350 million and you're not going to have enough? That's very hard for me to comprehend because of the prices that are being charged. Why are we allowing them to charge us $3.5 million dollars for a small school that doesn't even have a large roof? ...I'm getting thousands of calls and I don't get answers and because I don't get answers, I'm saying let's go back and do it properly. ...I wasn't comfortable voting for it," she said. Featured Local Savings
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Brownsville ISD to decide on bond election at Thursday meeting
Feb. 11—The Brownsville Independent School District Board of Trustees is days away from deciding whether to call a bond election and for how much after the board's Facilities Committee held its final meeting on Monday. The board is strongly considering calling a bond election for May because it can do so with little or no impact on the district's debt, or I&S tax rate, which stands at 24 cents per $100 of assessed property valuation. A special-called board meeting is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the BISD board room at 1900 Price Road to consider the options and take action before the state deadline of Feb. 14 for calling a May election. For the past two years, BISD has paid down its bonded debt through defeasance resolutions, saving the district $1.5 million in bond interest and placing it in prime position to call a bond election. Depending on the choices the board makes on Thursday, it could call a bond election with minimal impact on its I&S tax rate, call one in November, or not call a bond election at all. Should the board decide not to call a bond election for May 2025 the maximum I&S tax rate BISD could enact would be 13 cents, meaning that taxes would decrease. If the board were to call a bond election for November 2025, it may face an uphill battle for voter approval due to a tax increase. The board could also call for a bond election for as much as $350 million without affecting the tax rate. Because of the defeasance payments, BISD must make bond payments for 2025 totaling just $39.68 million, a relatively small amount compared to other districts its size, who along with some districts even half the size of BISD have bonded debt of as much as $500 million, Chief Financial Officer Alejandro Cespedes said in a presentation to the Facilities Committee last week. Monday night he said BISD has the lowest bonded debt among all districts in the Edinburg-based Region One Educational Service Center. Some districts of about BISD's size in San Antonio have bonded debt into the billions of dollars, he said, citing a state bond review board website. Some could say low-bonded debt is a good thing, "but you have to remember that this is a perfect way for a district to responsibly borrow money from taxpayers to be able to not only maintain facilities but do any type of expansions, acquisition or new construction," Cespedes said. There is wide agreement that BISD facilities need roofing and HVAC upgrades. Under the leadership of Superintendent Jesus H. Chavez, the BISD Board of Trustees established the Citizens Facilities Committee in November, which then conducted walk-through assessments of all district facilities. The committee, which totaled some 100 members and was headed by Rusty Brechot and Henry LeVrier, issued its final report on Jan. 27. The document numbers 152 pages and includes assessments of all BISD facilities. It recommends a general purpose bond proposition of about $350 million be placed before BISD voters for approval on a May 2025 election ballot as Proposition A. A separate Proposition B would address the construction, acquisition, or equipping of a long-desired performing arts facility. The executive summary states that the district-wide sub-committee supported the development of a dedicated arts center for the district, but the overall Citizens Facilities Committee did not. The board will need to discuss this proposition and decide whether to include it as part of the total bond issuance package. Additional details such as the size, seating capacity and location of a performing arts center will need to be determined," the executive summary states. On Monday night, Cespedes outlined two preliminary PAC options. — A 68,000-square-foot facility with a spacious lobby, a black box theater and seating for a little over 1,200 patrons, 800 on the orchestra level, 400 on the balcony level. The black box theater would seat 250. This option would cost an estimated $950 per square foot for a total of about $65 million. — A budget friendly version has all the same features. It would be 43,500 square feet. This one would be around $600 per square foot. You're looking at about $32.6 million once you include soft costs, such as furniture, Cespedes said. Cespedes presented four bond package options for board consideration: — A $350 million bond with a cutoff at the point where projects meet funds available. — A $350 million bond as Proposition A, with a separate Proposition B for the PAC, which would result in a tax increase, possibly to 30 cents from 24 cents. Each cent of I&S levy generates about $14.5 million, Cespedes said. — A $350 million bond but deleting projects to the threshold where the PAC could be included. — The administration's recommendation, which would only address immediate needs at this time. The option could be structured for a total bond package of approximately $200 million to $263 million. It would allow the district to keep its debt rate of 24 cents per $100,000 valuation and allow one year of planning time to propose a bond election in November 2025 or May 2026. This option also would give the district time to plan a Performing Arts Center, as well as a Career and Technical Education center. The Citizens Facilities Committee listed a new CTE center of 43,000 to 65,000 square feet at a cost between $35 million and $47 million as priority one. Last year, BISD sold the Cummings Middle School campus to the city of Brownsville for expansion of the Gladys Porter Zoo for $16 million. The money is invested in a trust fund. BISD is now leasing the campus, which has been used for several years as a CTE campus. BISD is obligated to move out within five years. Featured Local Savings
