Tuition Rates Discussed by Latexo ISD

District Shows off New Bus

By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter

LATEXO – As the March 8 meeting of the Latexo ISD Board of Trustees meeting got underway, board members were given an opportunity to view the district’s newest school bus.

LISD board member Kelly Nicol commented on the new vehicle and said, “This isn’t a façade for us – the board members – this is for the kids. You can tell these kids are proud to get in that bus and show up at an event and not come crawling out of the oldest bus there. Now, I believe we have the finest bus around.”

Following a discussion about upgrades to the district’s security measures, LISD Superintendent Dr. Stacy Easterly opened a discussion about the tuition rates for Pre-K, transfer and summer school students.

“Currently,” the LISD superintendent said, “our Pre-K tuition is set at $1,500 per year per child for all those who do not qualify. We only get money for half a day from those who qualify.”

Easterly said the $1,500 is less than daycare and “… encourages students to begin here at Latexo Elementary School and to finish their career (secondary education) here. My recommendation is to leave the cost at $1,500.”

A motion to leave the Pre-K tuition at the current rate was made and unanimously approved.

The next area of tuition addressed concerned transfer students.

“The current transfer tuition rate is $600 per family which means no matter how many you have in your family the cost is $600. This has been allowed to be paid in two separate payments of $300. This is to help people out who are in need, so they can prepare for each payment. One is due in August and one is due in December, unless one of the family members is a senior and then all $600 is paid up front,” Easterly explained.

She added transfer Pre-K students were required to pay the $600 transfer fee “… regardless of whether they qualify or not.”

The board approved keeping the transfer rate at $600.

The final tuition area covered by Easterly concerned summer school. After a lengthy discussion it was decided to revisit the tuition issue for in-district students while out-of-district students would be required to pay $500.

Students attending summer school because of STAAR requirements are not required to pay any type of tuition.

In other matters brought before the board:

• Consent agenda items were approved.
• An agreement with the accounting firm of Weaver and Tidwell to conduct the district’s annual financial audit was ratified by the trustees.
• The first reading of Policy Update 110 was given.
• Texas Kids First was selected as the district’s student accident insurance carrier for the 2018-2019 school year.
• The trustees cast their votes for Kim Spellman in the upcoming Consolidated Water Supply Corporation board election.

Will Johnson may be reached via e-mail at [email protected].