NEDERLAND — The Nederland Independent School District approved its 2019-20 budget and tax rate this week at a special Board of Trustees meeting. The board adopted a tax rate of $1.33 and an overall budget of $48.7 million.

“The 2019-2020 budget that was adopted is driven by the district’s goals and strategic plan,” Superintendent Robin Perez said in an issued statement. “We are grateful for a board of trustees and staff that works hard to assure a balanced budget each year.”

The budget of $48,776,000 includes a $3,153,000 overall increase in salaries, representing $40,004,700 of the overall budget. Nederland ISD announced earlier this month that teachers received approximately a 10 percent increase, with others being based on level of experience.

“Over 80 percent of the budget pertains to employee salaries,” Perez said. “HB3 that was passed this legislative session was a driving factor in how our district and all others across the state planned for the upcoming school year.”

Perez said beside the teacher salaries, the budget proposal also includes a new middle school band director to support an increase in student enrollment.

The operating budget set at $8,771,300 also had an $113,000 increase to support the district’s goals, strategic plan and annual projects including a self-supporting child nutrition program.

“The District operates a program within the guidelines of the United States Department of Agriculture, Texas Department of Agriculture, and Texas Education Agency,” Perez said in an issued release. “The annual budget supports updates and renovation to the district’s child nutrition facilities.”

The tax rate, which reflects a $.18 increase from last year, includes $0.97 for Maintenance and Operations and $0.36 for Interest and Sinking, which finances debt on facilities. The increase comes from having to support the 2019 bond program passed in May.

“The Interest and Sinking proposed tax rate will increase from $0.09/$100 value to $0.36/$100 value to meet the debt services payments in 2019-2020,” Perez said. “Under the proposed budget the M&O tax rate will decrease from $1.06/$100 value to $.97/$100 value. Based on increased property values and tax rate, tax collections increased approximately $469,000.”

In an issued statement, the system said the overall tax rate represents an 18 cent per hundred-dollar increase, “which on a home value with a $100,000 taxable value is an increase of $180 per year to the taxpayer.”

For more information visit https://www.nederland.k12.tx.us/.