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The Paris Independent School District board of trustees will take up a proposed tax increase when it meets Thursday morning.
The special session, set for 7 a.m. at the administration building, includes setting a public hearing for a proposed rate of $1.455. That’s 3 cents higher than the current rate of $1.425 per $100 of appraised property value.
The increase is on the portion of the tax rate known as the Interest & Sinking fund, which pays for the district’s debt. PISD still has a balance in its I&S fund, which is helping to keep the tax rate down, Superintendent Paul Trull said. Without those funds available, the increase would be 7 cents.
As adopted in June, the district’s 2012-2013 budget has $31.91 million in expenditures but $31.02 million in revenue – a $898,811 shortfall. About $500,000 of that is in the operating budget, including $200,000 to offer a one-time payment of $300 for full-time employees and $150 for part-time workers.
“Given legislative cuts of $1.6 million for this biennium, our base budget was $300,000 short,” Trull said. “The district has attritioned personnel, cut budgets, and frozen salaries for the past two years. Since salaries are frozen again, the board felt it appropriate to approve a one-time payment to employees.”
Existing fund balances and money saved from the current fiscal year will help cover the budget shortfall, Trull said. PISD can’t raise the operations portion of its tax rate because Paris ISD already levies the maximum of $1.17 allowed for maintenance and operations – a cap it’s been bumping against for four years.
Schools haven’t seen an increase in spending from the state since 2006.
“With historically high taxes that produce low revenue, Paris has been described as a ‘poster child’ for what’s wrong with the current funding system in Texas,” Trull said. “It’s a system of haves and have-nots, but apparently the state will make no move to change this system unless mandated by the court.”
PISD is part of a lawsuit against the state over school finance. It’s expected to go to trial Oct. 22 in Austin, and Trull said he expects the current system to be declared unconstitutional.
Also on the agenda Thursday:
At about 1:20pm on Monday afternoon, Paris police responded to a shooting call in the 700 block of NE 11th St, according to Paris Police Department Information Officer, Curtis Garrett.
Officers were informed by victims at the scene that during a family disturbance, 23-year-old Jarvis Fisher assaulted his wife and produced a handgun — pointing it at several victims while sitting in their car, before firing the gun into the air.
Police arrested Fisher and charged him with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.
Over the past 24 hours, 5 people were arrested in the City of Paris on the following charges: one for public intoxication, two for assault, one for Motion to Revoke Burglary of a Building, and one for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.
Officers responded to 115 calls for service on Monday, July 30, 2012.
After officers discovered the body of 61-year-old Richard Gross in his bath tub over the weekend, investigation into the time of his death and causes lead police to believe that the date of his death is likely around May 20, according to Paris Police Department Public Information Officer, Curtis Garrett.
Mail that had been delivered to Mr. Gross’ residence in the 200 block of SW 5th St. had not been checked since that date, coinciding with the last known contact by other persons with him.
A check of his water bill history uncovered an abnormal increase in water usage beginning on the May-June bill and continuing into the June-July bill. The unusual spike in water usage alerted the water department and a routine letter went out to the residence. The water was still running when police discovered the body in late July and most of the house flooded.
According to Officer Garrett, a thorough crime scene search failed to provide any evidence of foul play. The death is believed to be a result of natural causes.
Chief Hundley added, “In this day where neighbors choose to keep to themselves, we appreciate the neighbors on 5th Street for being concerned about Mr. Gross to the point of call the department for a security check. We should all be mindful of our elderly neighbors, especially in these days of 100+ temperatures, to check on them when we can and when it’s appropriate to make sure they are okay.”
Mincie Lee Cobb, 77, of Powderly passed away Sunday July 29, 2012 at Legend Healthcare and Rehabilitation. Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home will conduct graveside services 10:00 a.m. Wednesday August 1, atProvidencecemetery with Jeff Blanton officiating.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday 6-7 p.m.
She was born August, 11, 1935 in Amherst a daughter of Charlie and Ruth (Bugs) Barbee Smith. She married Grafford Cobb inParison April 29, 1954 building 58 years of marriage. She loved gardening and most of all, cherished her husband Grafford till her death. She was a homemaker.
She is survived by her husband Grafford A. Cobb; sons Robert Cobb and wife Cindy, Gerald Cobb and wife Terri; 5 grandsons Brian, Chris, Matt, Evan, Clint; 2 great grandchildren Taylan and Kaleb; a brother Danny Smith and wife Dorothy of Denton; an aunt Lou Tollie Stone and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Don Ensey, Pat Bassano, Walter Bassano, Danny Wiseley, Jeremiah Hanlin, Art Sharrock and Thomas Tomblin.
Online condolences may be made at www.fry-gibbs.com.
Dean Pilkington, 65, of Reno passed away Monday July 30, 2012 at his residence.
He was born on July 28, 1947 in Lamar County a son of James Edward and Wilma Bernice Endsley Pilkington. He was a Baptist, retired, and served in the U.S. Air Force. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He married Charlotte Juanell Merritt on February 17, 1969 in Paris.
Survivors include his spouse Charlotte Pilkington; children Dianna Pilkington, James Pilkington and Greg Pilkington; his faithful canine buddy Buster Brown; grandchildren Nicholas and Alex Foiles, Brittany, Andrew, Hunter and Jacob Pilkington, Isabella Clark and Ashton Lane; brother Terry Pilkington and wife Debbie; sisters Wilma Bradley and husband Mike, Beverly Niesler and husband Dickie; sister-in-law Bonnie Pilkington. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter Ashley Pilkington, brother Johnny Pilkington and his parents.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, August 1, 2012 in the chapel of Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home with Rev. Jack Graham officiating. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery with Greg Pilkington, James Pilkington, Hunter Pilkington, Mike Pilkington, Jimmy Horsley, and Nicholas Foiles. Family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.fry-gibbs.com.
The Pilkington family request memorials be made to the American Cancer Society.
Cedric Cordell Dangerfield, 29, Burglary of Building
Darryl Lynn Donaldson, 45, Public Intoxication
Jarvis Ray Fisher, 23, Aggravated Assault w/ Deadly Weapon
Tiffany Rosine Garcia, 21, Assault
Deventchey Narpolian Hawkins, 24, Assault Family/House Member
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