Here is a recap of what was featured in the Wednesday, May 18, e-edition of the Taylor Press. The e-edition is mailed to subscribers and available at www.taylorpress.net.
BOARD SWEARS IN
Taylor Independent School District swore in newly elected members to the board of trustees. Cheryl Carter and Marco Ortiz return for new three-year terms in places 3 and 4, respectively, after drawing no opponents in the May election. Joseph Meller ran unopposed in Place 5 and replaces Thomas Rohlack.
The board members all spoke words and shared memories of Rohlack’s three years on the board. Rohlack was presented a plaque by Superintendent Devin Padavil commemorating his service. Padavil said he appreciated Rohlack’s inquisitiveness on past issues.
“Those questions make me a stronger leader,” said Padavil, “so you give me time to figure out what are those details that make us better.”
After the board meeting’s public comments, Meller took the Place 5 seat for the rest of the meeting. The new trustee hit the ground running asking questions on a few items. The board nominated
The board nominated and unanimously voted trustees to reorganized positions in the group. Ortiz and Mitchell were re-elected president and vice-president, respectively. Carter moved from assistant secretary to secretary to replace Rohlack. Anita Volek was voted to the assistant secretary position.
SCHOOL STIPENDS REVISED
Taylor Independent School District will give $400 stipends for employees that finished reading academies within the 2021-22 school year. Superintendent Devin Padavil informed the board of trustees of the revision to the district’s retention stipend.
“When escrow funds by the federal government are provided to school districts, you empowered me to make use of those funds for the benefit of our school district,” said Padavil. “We have looked through our escrow funds budget and we do have the funds for those.”
The revised stipend complements $1,000 stipends for returning employees and $400 stipends for new employees set for January 2023.
Approximately 50 employees are likely eligible for the new $400 stipend. Teachers in grade levels kindergarten through third are required to go through the reading academies.
“I am not exaggerating when I say that employees on their own time outside of school have spent upwards of 100 hours to complete what’s required by the state and when those requirements aren’t met, then it makes their staff position harder,” said Padavil. “A $400 stipend is barely enough to say thank you, but we know we can afford it with our federal funds.”
“My daughter just did that with another school district and you’re not exaggerating that with the time commitment,” said board member Anita Volek.
TAYLOR APPLIES FOR COPS GRANT
On May 12, the Taylor City Council authorized completion of an application for a grant from the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program. The grant could assist the department and add five new officers.
The goal of the COPS program is to provide direct funding to law enforcement agencies to hire or rehire more career officers to increase policing capacity and crime prevention. All agencies with primary law enforcement authority are eligible to apply.
“We have requested four patrol officers in the last three budget years,” said Chief Henry Fluck, “and in addition to that, we’re hoping to also include a downtown parks foot and bike patrol officer.”
The total yearly cost for five new officers would be $392,320. The COPS grant would cover at least 75% for the officers’ first year, 54% for the second and 30% for the third. After three years, with a total cost of $1,176,960 to employ the five officers, the city’s match would be $553,171. Taylor can apply for a waiver of the local match.
Taylor has 30 authorized positions on the force. Fluck wants to increase to 35 in future budgets.
“With the growth coming to Taylor and the request for more officers downtown,” said Garcia. “this is something that’s much needed.”
City Manager Brian LaBorde cautioned the council that the city’s financial situation when Taylor receives the grant would need to be considered in deciding how many officers the city can actually hire.
“We would still have to do a fiscal impact to understand where we’re at and how much we can afford,” said LaBorde. “Human capital is one of our highest expenditures.”
For more from the presentation and discussion, visit https://taylortx.swagit.com/play/05132022-645/6.
