The Copperas Cove ISD Board of Trustees approved a significant tax rate cut at a special meeting Tuesday night.
The new total tax rate for residents in CCISD is $0.8338 per $100 valuation, down 18.54 cents from the 2022-23 fiscal year and the second year in a row the board has dropped the tax rate.
“With this compression in the tax rate, our community will see a savings on their property taxes,” CCISD Chief Financial Officer Dr. Earl Parcell said. “With the state increasing its contribution to Copperas Cove ISD, we are able to provide this tax relief for property owners without sacrificing anything for our students or staff. CCISD teachers were still able to receive their previously-approved and well-earned step increases in pay, and our auxiliary and clerical staff, who are vital to our district’s operations, were still able to receive a raise, as well.”
The state is contributing approximately 5% more for the 2023-24 school year, taking some of the burden from local taxpayers to CCISD.
The board also adopted a budget of approximately $90.1 million for the 2023-24 fiscal year, which ends Aug. 31, 2024, and focuses on student and staff safety, with the adoption of armed guards for eight additional campuses not previously covered in the district.
In total, security measures saw an increase of about 75% in the district’s approved 2023-24 budget from last year. CCISD has agreements in place with the city of Copperas Cove to provide School Resource Officers and Ranger Guard to provide armed security at all eleven campuses in the district.
The remaining increase in the district’s proposed budget is due to rising operation costs and increased salaries for teachers and staff.
The board also approved a resolution that committed approximately $38 million from the district’s fund balance for various capital improvement projects, emergency repairs and future facility needs. The remaining $28 million has been left unassigned, to ensure four months of operating expenses remain.
“We appreciate the board for approving the new budget, which emphasizes student and staff safety on our campuses,” CCISD Superintendent Dr. Joe Burns said. “CCISD’s goal is to become the premier public school district focused on the whole child, and we feel this budget helps us serve our community in a manner they deserve. We hope the people of Copperas Cove see this budget, the lowered tax rate and the wonderful things taking place in our classrooms and continue to trust us to serve their students.”
The CCISD Board of Trustees is next scheduled to hold a workshop on Sept. 11th with a meeting to follow the next day.
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