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The Taylor ISD Board of Trustees met for its Regular Meeting on August 14. Highlights from the meeting include:

• T.H. Johnson ES custodian Adam Garcia receives Superintendent Coin of Excellence
• Board approves a lower tax rate of $1.0638
• Board approves calling a Bond and School Funding Election on Nov. 4 

RECOGNITIONS

Superintendent Coin of Excellence

T.H. Johnson ES custodian Adam Garcia was selected as the August 2025 Superintendent Coin of Excellence recipient. He has been with Taylor ISD for 27 years and will retire at the end of the month.

“This one is very dear to my heart. Every time I go to T.H. Johnson, this person is always greeting, not only our staff but our students and our families, always with a smile. You can see him anytime working hard to make sure our environment for our kids is nice, clean, and he’s just such a positive energy on our campus,” said Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen. 

T.H. Johnson ES Principal Andy Basche also congratulated Mr. Garcia for the recognition and his dedication to students and staff.

“Tonight we honor Adam Garcia, our retiring custodian, who is receiving the Superintendent Coin of Excellence for a career defined by dedication, pride, and care. For nearly three decades, Mr. Garcia has cared for the students, staff and facilities here in TISD,” Mr. Basche said. “Mr. Garcia has given us more than a clean and well-kept building, he’s given us kindness, patience, and a smile that could brighten even the toughest days for staff and students.”

REPORTS 

2022 Bond Update

Taylor ISD is wrapping up the final items from the 2022 Bond, including HVAC controls, signage, and other campus-specific projects. Results of any remaining funds will be shared at the September board meeting. 

Additional projects still underway include an outdoor learning space at Main Street Elementary, a library refresh, and a new security vestibule at the administration building. A full bond summary will be presented at the next board meeting.

TEE Foundation Annual Report Update

The TEE Foundation reported strong support for district initiatives, providing nearly $100,000 in grants to teachers and staff across the district in the past year. Executive Director and Trustee Anita Volek reported fundraising $270,000 from annual fundraisers, district support, interest on the foundation’s endowment fund, and more. 

Major fundraisers include Purse Bingo, which will return on Nov. 1, and Food Dudes on April 18, 2026. These two events remain the Foundation’s primary sources of income, generating $125,000 combined.

Attendance and Plan for 2025-2026 School Year

District leaders presented the attendance plan for the 2025-2026 school year, emphasizing the critical role attendance plays in achieving Taylor ISD’s strategic goals for student success. The updated plan includes sharing daily attendance percentage updates, making daily calls, partnering with Communities In Schools (CIS), conducting home visits, and addressing truancy prevention. Additional measures include preventative and enhanced cleaning to help keep students healthy. 

To encourage participation, the district will offer rewards and recognition to campuses with the highest overall attendance, making it fun and engaging for students and staff. 

School Funding Election (VATRE) Presentation

Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen presented on a School Funding Election, or Voter-Approved Tax Rate Election (VATRE), explaining how it’s a tool communities can use to secure additional funding for school instruction and programs. She noted that Taylor ISD is in a unique position to call a VATRE while still reducing the overall tax rate. 

The proposal aims to address the growing gap between public school funding and the realities of inflation and rising operational costs. Passing a VATRE would also allow the district to address compensation for teachers and staff. You can read more about the School Funding Election at this link.

NEW BUSINESS

Consideration and Possible Action to Approve Designation of Officer Resolution - Approved

Consideration and Approval of the Resolution Certifying the 2025 Tax Roll - Approved

Consideration and Approval to Amend the 2025-2026 Budget to Append the Tax Rate Calculation Forms - Approved

Consideration and Adoption of the Ordinance to Set the 2025 Taylor ISD Tax Rate - Approved

The board approved lowering the tax rate for the school district by nearly four cents ($0.0362) to $1.0638.

Consideration and Possible Action to Approve Revision of EFB (LOCAL) - Approved 

Consideration and Approval of Annual Renewal of Good Cause Security Resolution - Approved

Consideration and Approval of an order calling a bond election for an amount not to exceed $147,000,000 to be held by the Taylor Independent School District, making provision for the conduct of a joint election, and resolving other matters incident and related to such election - Approved 

Dr. Garcia presented the Community Advisory Committee recommendation calling for a $147 million bond to add a multipurpose facility at Taylor High School to support a wide range of student curricular and UIL programs, including but not limited to, band, theater, dance, general classroom instruction, and to support community events, assemblies and professional development. 

The bond also calls for renovations at Taylor MS and improvements across the district. This comes as a recent demographic report predicts the district will double in enrollment within the next 10 years. You can read the full press release at this link.

Consideration and Approval of a resolution relating to establishing the District's intention to reimburse itself for the prior lawful expenditure of funds relating to constructing and equipping various district improvements from the proceeds of tax-exempt obligations to be issued by the district for authorized purposes; authorizing other matters incident and related thereto; and providing an effective date - Approved 

Consideration and Possible Approval of an order to call a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election to ratify an adopted tax rate that exceeds the District’s Voter-Approval Tax Rate to be conducted on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 - Approved

You can read the full release on the School Funding Election (VATRE) at this link.

CONSENT AGENDA - Approved

• Minutes 
• Tax Report

You can watch the full meeting at this link.