Carroll schools may add, subtract teachers
Star-Telegram staff writer
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SOUTHLAKE -- Hiring middle school language arts teachers is among the top priorities Carroll school district administrators want trustees to consider for next year's budget.
That would allow the district to double the time seventh- and eighth-graders study English language concepts.
During a workshop this week, Carroll trustees discussed a preliminary $80.7 million budget for next year, which would be a 7 percent increase over the current budget. Early figures show a surplus of about $795,585.
The board is beginning to consider a list of possible programs to include in next year's spending plan. Trustees plan to meet again this month on the budget, board President Erin Shoupp said. They have until the end of August to adopt the budget.
Double language arts
The most expensive program among those listed as top priorities is $357,500 for 6 1/2 additional language arts teachers at the district's two middle schools.
The plan will double language arts instruction to 90 minutes a day. A committee recommended the scheduling changes to help improve scores on state-mandated tests. The district is "not adequately addressing reading, writing and grammar objectives" with the current schedule, said a Feb. 4 committee report.
Administrators also want to add two intermediate school teachers to help fifth- and sixth-graders struggling with math, and two middle school teachers for gifted and talented students, also recommended by the committee.
Cuts in areas
At the same time that administrators are asking for more language arts teachers for middle school, they are trying to reduce the number of other middle school teachers by four.
The board will consider options such as moving them or not filling positions when certain teachers resign or retire, officials said.
"School officials are dealing with an unusual situation at the district's middle schools," district spokeswoman Julie Thannum said.
"Middle school enrollment shows that the district needs four fewer teachers. Trustees will have to decide whether to continue to carry those extra positions next year."
It would cost the district $220,000 to pay for the positions, district figures show.
Online: www.southlakecarroll.edu
Priorities
Some items on Carroll's top priority needs list:
$357,500 for 6 1/2 additional language arts teachers
$110,000 for two intermediate math teachers
$110,000 for two middle school gifted and talented teachers
$137,500 for 2 1/2 elementary school reading teachers
Source: Carroll school district
About the tax rate
Carroll's current tax rate is $1.465 per $100 of assessed property value -- 42.5 cents to repay construction bonds and $1.04 for maintenance and operations.
School districts are required by the state to cap their M&O tax rates at $1 this year. They had the option of adding as much as 4 cents to the tax rate and would have to ask voters to go higher.
Carroll's proposed 2008-09 budget is based on a preliminary M&O tax rate of $1.04. Trustees have not yet discussed the rate for paying off debt.
JESSAMY BROWN, 817-685-3876
