District drops tax rate
HUTTO – Hutto Independent School District board of trustees adopted a fiscal year 2022-23 tax rate that is $0.1854 lower than the current year’s rate. The 18.5 cent drop results in a total that is also lower than the no new revenue rate.
The new rate of $1.2075 per $100 valuation was approved by the board at their Aug. 24 meeting. The total breaks down to $0.7575 for maintenance and operations, and $0.45 for debt service (interest and sinking rate). In comparison, the 2022-23 tax rate was $1.3929, with $0.9429 towards maintenance and operations and $0.45 for debt service.
“With this large decrease, what does that look like for next year, two years from now?” asked Trustee James Matlock. “As legislative changes happen, will we drop the tax rate by 18 cents, but then need more?”
HISD Chief Financial Officer Caleb Steed responded that the district was somewhat at the mercy of the legislation.
“We can only make so much on a per student basis, and so therefore our tax rate is kind of given to us. Whether we are above or below the no new revenue, again it’s not really something we get to decide. This rate will support the budget we proposed in June,” Steed said. “The massive difference really is that rather than local taxes we receive through Williamson County supporting us, a lot of that will get shifted over to the state side.”
School district enrolls 10,000 for current year HUTTO — Hippo Nation made a big deal out of a little hippo when school leaders joined to celebrate the enrollment of it’s 10,000th student for the school year, 4-year-old Lyla Lou Skylie Fry.
The milestone is a first for fast-growing Hutto Independent School District, marking a new high in student enrollment. District leaders presented the girl and her parents, Lolita and Austin Fry, with a signed certificate from superintendent Celina Estrada Thomas, and some school district promotional items to mark the occasion.
While the student has now enrolled 10,000 students, the actual student count for the district at this time is 9,970 because not all who enroll attend. That’s a jump of almost 200 from the previous year’s ending total of 9,777. The district projects to have 10,370 students enrolled by the end of the current school year.
“We are thrilled to reach yet another milestone in Hutto ISD’s lengthy history by setting an all-time enrollment record with our 10,000th student,” said Estrada Thomas. “It’s no secret that our district continues to face rapid growth as families choose our district for its exceptional academic offerings and quality educational experiences.”
