By Scott Harvey
Rains County – The Rains School Board will not raise its maintenance and operation (M&O) tax rate for the upcoming school year. The decision was made during a special board meeting last week.
RISD Superintendent David Seago says the district's $1.04 M&O tax rate will remain the same. Citizens will, however, see an increase of less than a half cent on their interest and sinking (I&S) taxes. That's based on the proposed rate of .0637 cents from the previous rate of .0599 cents. The slight increase will help bring in an additional $10,000 to $15,000 in matching funds from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) within the next two years.
The Rains School Board also last week postponed calling a bond election for November to construct a PK-2 building.
Superintendent Seago says the District is still working to approve an interlocal agreement with the Rains County Commissioners Court before calling the election, which they hope to do when both sides meet on August 14.
The more than $14 million bond package will seek a new Pre-K-2 building, renovations to the District's athletic facility as well as added seating to its stadium.
A similar bond election was rejected by voters last year, but failed by less than 70 votes.