BY MARK FADDEN & CODY THORN
Carroll ISD superintendent addresses academics, nances at luncheon
The conditions
Ledbetter urged those in attendance to reach out to local state representatives to help x the state funding formula. He pointed out that state representatives will say they’ve given money back to the public by lowering recapture, but in truth “it did nothing for us,” Ledbetter said.
Carroll ISD Superintendent Lane Ledbetter provided an update on the district during an annual speech at the Southlake Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Oct. 26. He touched on State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness test results, school safety and the district’s nancial situation, which led to four properties being placed for sale to help bring in additional income. “I hope the community understands what CISD is all about and the excellence that is there and the tradition,” said Ledbetter, a 1989 graduate from Carroll Senior High School. “I love that saying, ‘protect the tradition,’ because we have a tradition of excellence that goes well beyond the last few years; it goes back decades.” Ledbetter and CISD board President Cameron Bryan discussed the issues around the nancial issues facing the district. Ledbetter said the basic allotment per student has not changed since 2019 and CISD has the fourth-lowest per-pupil funding in the state. The district also struggles with losing 30% of property tax revenue to the state’s recapture policy, Ledbetter added. Bryan said CISD sent $38 million last year back to the state in recapture payment, and he said the board has asked the governor, lieutenant governor and Texas Education Agency commissioner where that money is going and hasn’t received a response. He said he believes there should be accountability on how that money is spent. Bryan said that 60% of the money from local
"[Lawmakers] need to hear from one of the top school districts in the state that we are really, really struggling in terms of school funding." CAMERON BRYAN, CISD BOARD PRESIDENT
Carroll ISD Superintendent Lane Ledbetter talks during the Southlake Chamber of Commerce Luncheon.
CODY THORN COMMUNITY IMPACT
A closer look
property taxes goes to the school district. In September, the board passed a 21-cent reduction per $100 assessed valuation on the operations portion of its budget—the largest cut in CISD history, Bryan said. He said by 2029, CISD will eliminate the debt service portion of the tax bill by paying o the debt. Ledbetter said the district has only three ways
The district provided multiple ways to help. One option was to donate to the nonpro t Carroll Education Foundation. Other options include: • being a substitute teacher • volunteering • becoming part of a booster club • joining a parent-teacher organization • advertising and sponsoring events Any funds raised from advertising and sponsorship are not subject to recapture and stay in the district, o cials said.
to get more money: • add more students • raise taxes
• have the legislature ix the funding situation Bryan said that House Bill 1 will give the district an extra $30 per student this year and an additional $365 next year, but that isn’t enough to meet the increased costs CISD is facing.
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GRAPEVINE COLLEYVILLE SOUTHLAKE EDITION
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