The Italy School Board of Trustees scheduled a public hearing Tuesday, Aug. 31, at 5 p.m. in the high school band hall to adopt the 2010-2011 operating budget and the proposed tax rate.
 
The board held an hour-long budget workshop to discuss a draft version of the proposed budget.
 
The board also discussed the possibility of an eventual tuition charge for transfer students.
 
Between 50 and 60 students have requested transfer to the Italy school district for the 2010-2011 school year.
 
Tommy Morrison, board member, said the board might consider a tuition or transfer fee next year for non-district students.
 
Giving an example, Morrison said perhaps the addition of three-second graders raised the class size causing the district to hire an additional second grade teacher. The district would receive about $21,000 for the three students but it would cost the district about $40,000 for the cost of an additional teacher. That would create a $19,000 drain on local taxpayers.
 
He said the taxpayers of the district should not bear the cost of transfer students.
 
He said that allowances may be made for some students noting the parents of one transfer student owns land and operates a business within the school district. He said, however, transfer students should not put a burden on the taxpayers of this district.
 
Jimmie Malone, superintendent, said many of the transfer students bring a lot to the district.
 
The board adopted the student transfer list Malone presented them.
 
The board also approved a district substitute teacher list – Kelli Ballard, Elmerine Bell, Ann Byers, Brenda Coleman, Shirley Cullum, Gene Dickerson, Mary Ann Garza, Tom Little, Darlene McBride, Becky Milligan, Lois Helen Reeves, Rita Smithey, Robin Wafer, Brenda Wainscott and Lori Wood.
 
During financial reports, Monica Boyd, business manager, said the district realized 89.95% of projected revenues and expended 86.26% of projected expenditures.
 
The board also approved an increase in the meal prices for adults. The breakfast cost is $1.75 and lunch is $3.25 for adults. Malone said this is the first increase in five years.
 
During the superintendent’s report, Malone presented updated code of conduct and dress code handbooks for both campuses.
 
Curtis Riddle, board member, addressed the principals saying, “Whatever you do on day one, do on the last day. Don’t change in mid-stream. If you enforce it on the first day of school, enforce it on the last day.”
 
Malone noted that a kindergarten teacher has moved from teaching kindergarten to the computer lab at Stafford Elementary. He said all students, from kindergarten through sixth grade, will cycle through the computer lab.
 
He also said the staff has painted the field house and the concession stand should be painted by the first football game.
 
Larry Eubank, board member, praised Jesus Perez, band director, and the coaches. He said they have been working many hours and there have not been issues with heat exhaustion.
 
Malone said he has accepted a proposal from Mineral Wells school district. The Italy Gladiator basketball team will play at the American Airlines Center on Thursday, Dec. 30. Tickets are $30 and cover the cost of three games including a Dallas Mavericks game scheduled for 7 p.m. He said more information would be forthcoming regarding this event.