East Texas

By KELLY GOOCH
Staff Writer

BULLARD -- Early voting continues this week for Bullard ISD's tax ratification election.

Residents can cast ballots from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Friday and Sept. Mon­day and Tuesday at Bullard City Hall, 114 S. Phillips St.

City Hall will be open for voting from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sept. 18 -- Election Day.

If approved, the election will help fund laptop computers for students and small capital improvement projects.

"This is an important vote for our technological future," school board President Dr. John Alexander said. "The state is looking at an $18 billion shortfall. This is our way to be sure we're continuing the progression technology-wise."

The district is looking to move 13 cents from the interest and sinking (I&S) tax rate to the main­tenance and operations (M&O) tax rate to maximize funding from the state.

Superintendent Keith Bryant has called the ratification election necessary while noting the tax rate would remain the same.

The district's current total tax rate is $1.47 per $100 of valuation. If rates are re­distributed, M&O and I&S would be at $1.17 and 30 cents, respectively.

The tax bill for a $100,000 home would increase about $130 for M&O, but it would de­crease by the same am­ount for I&S, Bryant said. Therefore, the overall bill from the district would be the same.

With the tax redistribution, Bul­lard ISD is expected to get ab­out $442,000 to help fund laptop computers and small capital im­provement projects, such as a new storage facility and irrigation work.

The laptops would be given in phases, with middle school stu­dents receiving them in 2011-12 and high school students re­ceiving them in 2012-13.

Alexander said he wishes there had been better participation at recent community for­ums regarding the election.

"The board's position has been to increase our technology, and our interest has always been giving the teachers and giving the administration and giving the students the tools to better ad­dress the education of the kids," Alexander said last month. "That all takes money and that money has to come from somewhere," he said, later adding "this is the way we have found to help our district and help our taxpayers. I hope they can res­pect our decision-making and our debate."

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