The Levelland ISD Board of Trustees met in a regular session Tuesday evening focusing on the upcoming budget and tax rate along with repairs and executive action.
Kicking off the meeting, Kay Franklin was sworn in as the newest member of the Board. Franklin was appointed to fill a vacant position due to the resignation of former Board Member DeEtte Edens earlier this summer.
Franklin previously spent 16 years as a teacher in Levelland before continuing her career in education in Littlefield as Assistant Superintendent for almost three decades.
Moving forward, the Board reviewed budget for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year. Facing a deficit budget, the district has been working to lower the deficit amount before a budget and tax rate is adopted.
The district is currently looking at a deficit budget of $1,794,128 after taking into account $800,000 in failed property value study impact and $590,000 in capital outlay. August 28th has been set as the date for the next Board meeting to adopt the budget and tax rate for the upcoming year.
“We have been trying to get the deficit down as we knew we were going to have a deficit similar to roughly 80% of the districts within the state,” said Levelland ISD Superintendent Becky McCutchen. “During out last board meeting we were looking at a $3.8 million dollar deficit, but we were able to get that number down to the $1.7 million that was discussed during this past meeting.”
A change order was discussed amongst the board regarding the roofing repair cost for Levelland Middle School. PRC roofing is currently completing the middle school roof repairs based on a previously approved bid. Recently, the roofers had discovered a roof design issue that requires a change to the repair project process. Contract lines were discovered to be installed on the underside of the metal deck which resulted in insulated fasteners causing issues.
In turn, the project will require a low-rise foam to be used in place of specified insulated fasteners. This change will take the project cost from $2,516,866 to $2,616,866, an increase to be included as part of the insurance claim. The board approved the change contingent upon approval from the insurance carrier.
Assistant Superintendent Rodney Caddell provided a report regarding the Levelland ISD’s Safety & Security Committee. The committee is required to meet three times a year with the last meeting of the year taking place on July 25.
The group discussed Emergency Operations Plan updates, the presence of drug dogs on campus and campus safety drill schedules. Additional items were discussed such as safety projects including entryresistant film installation, panic alert buttons and classroom telephones.
The Board approved the districts compensation plan which altered how employees received a $500 raise throughout the course of 12 months into a one time payment. Calling it essentially an addendum, McCutchen explained that is what was changed as the plan remains the same from the prior year.
She also added that the payment will most likely be in November in time for the holiday season.
Once in executive session, one of the topics covered was the superintendents contract. Recently tabled in July’s meeting, the board returned in an open session announcing the extension of Superintendent McCutchen’s contract to 2027. The board was split 5-1 in favor of extending the contract with Board Member Joyce Johnson the only opposed party.
A non-action item discussed was the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA). Levelland ISD had 34 teachers earn a combined allotment of $689,697 that will be distributed to designees on August 26 at “Night With the Stars.”
Of the 34 teachers, four teachers left the school district. Per TIA/TEA stipulations, the monies left from the four teachers remain at the campus.
Of the money left, 90% of the monies stay at the campus of the designation and will be used as compensation to student-facing instructional staff (teachers and para-professionals). The other 10% is being used to pay for the banquet on August 26 with the remaining balance split among campus administrators.
Criteria for teachers/paras/ administrators receiving the money left is they had to have worked at that campus the entire 2023-24 school year and continue to be employed at the campus the 2024-25 school year.
The breakdown is as follows: LABC and Capitol retained all teachers earning a designation.
LHS had a total $20,529.15 minus 10% ($2053) split evenly between 49 teachers/paras at a $377.06 payout.
South had a total of $28,056 minus 10% ($2806) split evenly between 18 teachers/paras at a $1402.78 payout.
LMS had a total of $7502 minus 10% ($750) split evenly between 50 teachers/paras at a $135.04 payout.
Of the $5609 which is the10% total, $1800 will be used for banquet expenses.
There is $3809 left to split evenly between 8 campus administrators for a $476.13 payout.