LFISD Approves Lower Tax Rate

Updated: September 24, 2021

Live board meeting took place Sept. 13, 2021

Nelda Briones
La Feria News

At the September 13, 2021 called Board Meeting, the La Feria ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved a tax rate of $1.156 for the 2021-2022 school year. The tax rate adopted is a five-cent decrease from the previous year which was at $1.208. The adoption of the budget demonstrated the district’s commitment to its fiscal responsibility.
The Board also approved increasing bus driver compensation from starting pay of $14.00 per hour to $15.25 per hour to be more competitive with neighboring districts like Harlingen, Mercedes, and Santa Rosa. Experienced bus drivers will also see a pay increase.
Also approved is a paid COVID-19 related leave for all employees for a maximum of 8 days in addition to their usual state or local leave. Since the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) expired on December 31, 2020, in which last year the FFCRA requirement was that employers provide paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave under the expired act. It would now be up to school boards to decide to continue with their own COVID paid leave. In this case, the extra leave would be paid with local school funds or ESSER grant funds.
The board of trustees is also considering offering COVID testing for all staff and students, but details are still being finalized.

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