Rollback election slows, doesn't stop, LISD planning
Despite a cut in funding, Louise ISD is proceeding with plans to develop a softball field. Volunteers are doing the work which would cost the district thousands if bid out.
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com

The growth and change that have characterized Louise ISD in recent years slowed but didn't stop when taxpayers turned down a tax rate in a tight election this fall. That changed many things in the pipeline for the district, which had a number of significant events occur in 2007.

On Nov. 6, Louise voters by a 90-99 tally turned down a $1.31 per $100 in valuation rate, choosing instead the state-preferred $1.20 rate, meaning administrators and trustees had to find almost $300,000 in cuts.

The district would've gained $164,032 in local and $113,300 in state funds had the higher rate passed, and planned to use that money for a new bus, raises, a new science teaching position and some facilities improvements.

The board dropped a plan to match employee contributions to private 457 retirement accounts, a savings of $115,900. They also scratched plans for a new bus, saving $77,427. Some $9,600 was saved by deciding not to replace library furniture and equipment and another $2,100 taken when that funding, for new construction, was deleted.

The district's 2007-2008 budget now stands at $4.265 million.

Fitness Center When Louise school trustees gave the nod to purchase $110,854 in fully federally funded fitness equipment in December, they were well on their way to creating a state-of-the-art fitness center for students and possibly the entire community.

In old elementary gymnasium, trustees are creating the center in unused space that used to house locker rooms, storage closets, offices and showers.

Louise ISD is creating the center at a cost of about $57,000 to accommodate fitness gear it will buy with a $200,000 federal grant for physical education equipment and teacher training.

It is more than enough equipment to run a P.E. program for students, after-school and summer activities too.

Softball Field When the tax rollback election tightened the district's budget, one plan shot down involved building a softball field on land the district already purchased for that purpose.

But Louise community members were willing to get to work anyway, and in December, Louise ISD trustees agreed to issue the call for volunteers and donations.

Superintendent Andy Peters told the board residents had come forward with offers of materials, equipment and labor to get at least a practice field for the softball team built on 12.6 acres LISD purchased last year.

The district had quotes of $125,000 to $200,000 for professionals to do the work, but Peters and board members noted the current LISD baseball field was built with community efforts and very little in district funds.

Once trustees granted permission, volunteers began moving dirt at the site in a matter of days.

Louise Junior High School

Louise school trustees in June decided to return to the concept of having a junior high school.

The district had grouped students into Elementary and High School, and administrators and teachers believe putting students in grades 6 through 8 in their own transitional campus will help them move more easily to high school.

There were also concerns about housing 12- and 13-year-olds with 18-year-olds, although that had not caused any problems.

Diane Blumrick remained the high school principal with an estimated 170 students.

The new junior high will house an estimated 110 students. Elementary principal Donna Kutac will lead the junior high as well, and with the addition of the junior high students, the elementary campus ended up with about 360 students.

The junior high was moved to the high school 10 years ago when Louise ISD built its new high school building, but has always been considered part of the high school.