By Scott Harvey
Commerce – The Commerce ISD Monday night is scheduled to consider approval of a tax rollback election, which would be held later this summer.
The .13 cent tax rate increase, if approved by voters, would cover a nearly $600,000 budget shortfall the district is facing for the 2010-2011 school year.
Efforts by the district to cut costs have included having all campuses cut three percent of its budget, not filling some vacant positions, plus entering into new, more cost-efficient program agreements for energy management and food service.
Despite cutting nearly $400,000 to date, according to Superintendent Blake Cooper, the large deficit remains.
A public hearing on the proposed 2010-2011 budget and tax rate begins at 7:00 p.m. at the Commerce Middle School Library, 606 Culver St. Following budget approval, the board will then consider calling for the tax rollback election.