BY CHLOE YOUNG
Liberty Hill ISD shares audit of district finances Liberty Hill ISD receives and spends less money per student than similar districts and the state average, according to an external audit. The audit comes weeks after the board voted to call its first voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, Nov. 5 as LHISD faces its largest budget shortfall for fiscal year 2024-25 and is projected to deplete its fund balance in the coming years. If the VATRE passes, the district would see a $6.2 million increase in revenue at an additional $253 yearly cost to homeowners, which could be used for teacher raises and student programs, said Amber Lasseigne, an auditor with Moak Casey. Diving in deeper LHISD receives about $10,090 in revenue per student, including local property tax collections and state and federal funding, which is $581 less than its peer districts and $2,649 less than the
LHISD students show CCMR improvements A growing number of high school stu- dents in Liberty Hill ISD are demonstrating preparedness to enter college, a career or the military, district data shows. A closer look From 2023 to 2024, the percentage of LHHS students participating in AP exams rose from 35% to 45% as the number of AP exams administered increased from 688 to 975, Chief of Schools Travis Motal said. Industry-based certifications earned by students through career and technical education courses increased from 150 to 775 from the 2020-21 to 2023-24 school year. Additionally, student enrollment in dual- credit or dual-enrollment courses increased from 698 to 840 from the 2022-23 school year to last school year.
By the numbers Proposed M&O tax rate of $0.7269 per $100 valuation Almost $0.06 higher than the FY 2023-24 tax rate
$6.2 million increase in revenue for LHISD $253 additional yearly cost to homeowners
SOURCES: LIBERTY HILL ISD, MOAK CASEY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
state average, according to the audit. The district has a lower property tax rate than its peers, some of which have already called VATREs, and fewer students in some special populations that receive additional funding, including econom- ically disadvantaged and bilingual students, LHISD Chief Financial Officer Rosanna Guerrero told Community Impact . Additionally, the district spends less on instruction, and maintenance and operations than its peers and the state while spending more on guidance and counseling, Lasseigne said.
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LEANDER - LIBERTY HILL EDITION
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