The Hempstead ISD Board of Trustees met on Monday, August 21.
During the board meeting, Hempstead ISD Superintendent Herbert O’Neil recapped the 2023 Convocation, Meet the Bobcats, and recognized the back-to-school professional development happening across the district.
During Superintent O’Neil’s board update, Hempstead Elementary School was recognized for their National American Heart Association award nomination, a Long Range Facility Planning Update was given, and he encouraged community involvement by supporting fall athletics and fine arts programming.
Chief Financial Officer, Amy Carter, held a public hearing to discuss the 2023-2024 Budget and 2023 Proposed Tax Rate at the top of the board meeting. Carter explained that due to the increase in homestead exemptions for school districts and Senate Bill 2, taxable values on residences are down. This has caused taxes on an average residence to decrease by $581.44, which is 30.9>#/p###
Hempstead ISD’s tax rates have significantly decreased to a total of $0.9513. The Hempstead ISD school board adopted a new tax rate that is 18.54 cents lower than the 2022 tax rate, for a total of $0.9513. This is the District’s lowest rate in over 20 years.
The following information items were presented at the monthly board meeting.
Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, Emily Vermeulen, presented Early College High School information. Fall of 2024 Hempstead ISD will open a school within a school allowing ninth-grade students to take college courses. Early College High School will allow students to graduate with a high school diploma and an associate’s degree.
“Early College programs create more opportunities for students to excel in college-level work while in high school," Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, Emily Vermeulen explained. "We are dedicated to providing new choices for our students to grow academically so that they can be successful both now and in the future."
Current 8th-grade students and their families can attend the Early College Parent Information meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. on October 25, to learn more about the Early College High School and application process.
Vermeulen also provided College Career and Military Readiness (CCMR) updates to the Board.
Trustees Approve Action Items
During the August board meeting, Hempstead ISD Trustees approved the following action items:
Approved the Order Authorizing and Providing for the Defeasance and Redemption of Certain Outstanding Obligations of Hempstead Independent School District; Authorizing the Execution of an Escrow Agreement; and Containing Other Provisions Related Thereto
Approved the adoption of the 2023-2024 Budget for Hempstead ISD
Approved the adoption of the 2023 Tax Rate
Approved a Resolution to extend the contract with Waller County Tax Office to assess and collect the District's property taxes through September 1, 2024, for the fee of $1.00 per parcel.
Approved the 2023-24 Workers' Compensation Insurance renewal with provider TASB Risk Management Fund
Approved 2023-2024 Property/Casualty Insurance
Approved TDA Adult meal price increase
Approved Transportation Bus Hazardous Routes
Approved 2023-2024 T-TESS Appraisal Calendar
Approved 2023-2024 T-TESS Appraisers
Approved 2023-2024 Student Code of Conduct
Approved 2023-2024 Stipend schedule.
The August Board meeting will be held on Monday, September 18, and will begin at 6 p.m. in the Administration Building Board Room.