New Braunfels | July 2023

EDUCATION BRIEFS

News from Comal, New Braunfels & Texas ISDs

COMPILED BY SIERRA MARTIN & AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN

QUOTE OF NOTE

High school replacement construction begins NEW BRAUNFELS ISD The rst phase of replacing the original New Braunfels High School is underway.

HIGHLIGHTS: NEW BRAUNFELS ISD Michelle Harwood was named the new director of communications for the district. She assumed her new role June 1. COMAL ISD There were 1,878 students who graduated from CISD’s ve high schools in May pursuing military or college plans. Comal ISD will meet Aug. 24 at 6 p.m. at the CISD District Oce, 1404 N. I-35, New Braunfels • 830-221-2000. MEETINGS WE COVER will meet Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. at the NBISD Administration Center, 1000 N. Walnut Ave., New Braunfels • 830-643-5705 www.nbisd.org www.comalisd.org New Braunfels ISD “IT IS A PRIVILEGE FOR US TO AWARD THESE SCHOLARSHIPS. ... OUR HOPE IS THAT THEY WILL COME BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY AND MAKE IT THAT MUCH BETTER.” SONIA AGUILLON, PRESIDENT OF THE GVTC FOUNDATION, ON THE LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS PROVIDED BY THE FOUNDATION NUMBER TO KNOW in local scholarships was received by the graduating classes of 2023 from Comal ISD’s ve high school campuses, surpassing the district’s goal for the year. $592,622

“With this replacement of the high school, along with other projects in the 2021 bond, NBISD remains on track to keep up with growth,” Largent said. Project details: The rst phase of construction on the replacement campus is funded through the 2021 NBISD bond. Phase 1 will include new career and technical education learning areas, a three-story academic wing, new tennis courts, and more.

The overview: On May 24, the district held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new campus, located at 2551 Loop 337, New Braunfels. Interim Superintendent James Largent said NBISD administration has been working for the past 16 months on planning the new campus. State college system to expand locally TEXAS Following the approval of House Bill 4997, Comal and Guadalupe counties will soon have the opportunity to have expanded community college access. The big picture: According to a news release, service-area juris- diction rules prevent Texas State Technical College from providing its programming without the established district community college rst declining to serve as the educational provider. HB 4997 gives TSTC the ability to bring new programs without going through that process. The backstory: The bill, led by state Rep. John Kuempel and supported by Sen. Donna Campbell and Rep. Carrie Issac, received formal resolutions of support by the cities of New Braunfels and Seguin.

The replacement campus for New Braunfels High School that is anticipated to be completed by fall 2025.

SIERRA MARTINCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Districts pass 202324 school year budgets NEW BRAUNFELS ISD & COMAL ISD Area school districts approved their budgets for scal year 2023-24, coming in at $92.72 million for New Braunfels ISD and $305.98 million for Comal ISD. According to NBISD’s budget presen- tation, the most signicant change is in overall payroll. Payroll is budgeted at 80% of the district’s overall budget. The district expects the budget will not require voter approval for a higher tax rate. The highest tax rate the district can adopt before requiring voter approval is $1.1858 per $100 valuation. CISD’s projected property tax rate for FY 2023-24 totals $1.23 per $100 valuation, which is $0.04 less than the previous school year. Most of the budget goes into stang and compensation with 56% of the FY 2023-24 projected expenses going toward teacher salaries and teacher training programs.

EXPANDING EDUCATION The Texas State Technical College oers more than 40 dierent programs and degrees throughout its 10 existing campuses in Texas. A variety of degree programs are oered in the following subjects: • Engineering and Manufacturing • Computer and Information Technology • Construction and Maintenance • Aviation • Environmental and Safety • Healthcare

SOURCE: TEXAS STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGECOMMUNITY IMPACT

“I applaud the leadership shown by our elected delegation on this important matter. Chairman Kuempel led the way by authoring the bill and through his role as chairman of the House Higher Edu- cation Committee,” said Jonathan Packer, President and CEO of the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce.

NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION • JULY 2023