The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday voted unanimously to adopt a 2012 property tax rate of $1.1567 per $100 valuation.
The rate, which is the same as adopted in 2011, keeps the school district's property tax rate as the lowest among school districts in Harris County, according to a news release from the district.
“Houston ISD's property tax rate is a full 20 cents below the county average of $1.3576 per $100 taxable value,” said the release. “This means the owner of a home with a taxable value of $200,000 in HISD pays about $400 less per year than the owner of a $200,000 home in another Harris County school district.” News Release
The board voted 8-0-1, with Juliet Stipeche abstaining, to approve personnel matters as discussed during the board's closed session.
Stipeche abstained on several items discussed in executive session, including:
- Approval of a settlement in the matter of Houston Independent School District vs. Reginald Simpson
- Approval of the resignation and release agreement in the matter of Houston ISD vs. Sheri Teinert
- Approval of a settlement in the matter of Catherine McGee Neben and Michael E. Neben, individually, and a/b/f of S.C., a minor, in the Southern District Court
- Approval of a settlement in the matter of Jeanette Pruneda vs. Houston Independent School District's
- Approval of a settlement in the matter of Phil Combs vs. Houston Independent School District, et al
- Approval of a settlement in the matter of Serefino Reyes vs. Houston Independent School District, et al
- Approval of medical reimbursement workers' compensation disputes concerning Renaissance Hospital vs. Houston Independent School District
- Approval of a settlement in the matter of Ruby Newsome vs. Houston Independent School District
No action was taken in the appeal matter of Houston Federal of Teachers Local 2415 vs. Houston Independent School District.
No action was taken regarding the possible sale of the former Kennedy Elementary School property at 306 Crosstimbers.
The school board voted 7-1-1, with Paula Harris opposed and Stipeche abstaining, to approve the demolition of facilities located at 5650 Selinsky.
The board voted 7-1-1, with Lawrence Marshall opposed and Harris away from the table during the vote, to approve design contingency allowances for the renovation/addition to John McReynolds Middle School.
The board voted 8-0-1, with Harris abstaining, to approve several items on the agenda by consensus.
All other items were approved by unanimous vote. All members were present. Agenda