Promise made; promise kept. At the regular meeting of the Athens ISD school board, trustees unanimously voted to adopt a total tax rate for the district that is identical to that of the previous fiscal year.
Leading up to the May 3 passage of AISD’s $121.5 million bond measure, district leadership committed to not increasing the debt service tax rate should voters approve the bond. That promise was kept; no increase occurred.
Athens ISD’s total tax rate is achieved by combining two individual tax rates: one for the purpose of funding the district’s maintenance and operations, the other for making payments on debt. The maintenance and operations tax rate remains unchanged at $0.6669; the interest and sinking (debt service) tax rate also remains unchanged at $0.39. Together, they produce a total AISD tax rate of $1.0569 per $100 property valuation — identical to last year’s rate. The district’s total tax rate decreased each year from 2019 through 2024. The last year the district experienced an increase to the total tax rate was 2016.
Presenting the proposed tax rates to the board was AISD Chief Financial Officer Randy Jones, marking his last appearance in that role prior to his retirement.
“This is Mr. Jones’ last week with us. … We can’t let this very last board meeting go by without expressing our sincere gratitude and a heartfelt thank you,” said Superintendent Dr. Janie Sims, prompting a standing ovation from the board and others in attendance.
“Thank you all very much,” said Jones. “One of the things you always hope for … is to be part of something absolutely worthwhile, that you're very proud to be identified with, and proud of the product or service that it’s offered. All of those touchpoints have been provided by Athens ISD. It’s been a great joy.”
In other board news, trustees:
approved out-of-state travel for two AHS students, Matalie Ortega and Starlette Johnson, who serve as officers in SkillsUSA District 5. The students and their advisors will travel to SkillsUSA’s Washington Leadership Training Institute conference in September, where students from across the country have an opportunity to advocate for the skilled trades and receive advanced leadership training;
increased the price of cafeteria-provided lunch for adults and guests from $5 to $5.25. The district provides free breakfast and lunch for all students;
approved plans to have Pinnacle Fence complete the installation of security fencing at South Athens Elementary, as well as install new fencing at Athens High School in the area surrounding the track;
approved a proposal from Advanced Sealcoat & Paving to resurface and stripe parking lots at the three elementary campuses, the softball and baseball fields, the field house, and some of the high school parking lots; and
approved the renewal of the district’s participation in the Risk Management Cooperative of Texas from Sept. 1, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2026.