GISD Lowering Tax Rate
The Herald Banner published an article with incorrect information on August 9th. The article stated that the GISD tax rate would be increasing “20 cents.” In actuality, the Greenville ISD tax rate is decreasing by almost a penny from $1.18164 to $1.17370. Therefore, if you notice an increase in GISD taxes, this is due to an increase in your property value not an increase in the GISD tax rate.
Greenville ISD boasts the third lowest tax rate of the surrounding 17 school districts and has taken measures to reduce our costs as to not increase the burden of our taxpayers.
v During the 2011-12 budget process, GISD implemented budget reductions exceeding $1,000,000. These reductions helped GISD meet the $1,700,000 funding cut in 2011-12 handed down by the state legislature and the $800,000 funding cut in 2012-13.
v Despite budget reductions, GISD’s Board of Trustees unanimously decided to appropriate funds to increase the district’s monthly health insurance premium to help mitigate rising health insurance costs to its employees.
v Despite dramatic funding cuts from the state, GISD did not initiate any teacher or staff salary cuts, furlough days or reduction in force (RIF) programs for 2011-12 or 2012-13. Many school districts around the state were faced with one or many decisions like these.
Furthermore, Greenville ISD began an advertising initiative to help supplement the general fund balance. To date the initiative has fundraised near $60,000.
In 2011-2012, Greenville ISD received four different awards from four independent agencies recognizing our commitment to financial prudence. GISD received the “GOLD” member designation from Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, the Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards from Government Finance Officers Association, the Meritorious Budget Award from the Association of School Business Officials International and the TASBO Award of Merit for Purchasing and Operations. More information about the awards may be found on the GISD Finance page: www.greenvilleisd.com/domain/25.
If you have any questions about the tax rate or budget, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail.
Thank you,
Kelli Tharp
Director of Community Services
