$18M budget approved

COLDSPRING — The Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD Board of Trustees approved its 2023-24 budget at its Aug. 28 meeting, one that includes a lower tax rate.

The new tax rate will be .7823, or $78.23 per $100,000 valuation on property within the district. By comparison, last year’s tax rate was .9221.

According to figures provided by the district, on an average home worth $220,000, the new tax rate will mean a savings of approximately $480.

The total revenue for the district, based on its approved budget, is expected to be $18,152,609, while its expenditures are expected to be $19,951,606.

In other business, the board:

•approved its annual commit fund balance;

•approved San Jacinto County Extension Agent Michelle Moss as an adjunct professor;

•approved the student and employee handbooks, and updates to board policy;

•approved the district development plan;

•approved an optional flexible school day program, which is aimed at dropout prevention;

•approved a district facility use program, such as gym and fields;

•appointed a committee for facilities assessment, preparing the district for any future growth; and

•extended Superintendent Bryan Taulton’s contract to July 2026.