By Ken Gaidziunas

Staff Writer

The Anna school board recognized an Education Foundation donor, approved the proposed Anna ISD budget and tax rate for the 2010-11 school year and heard a report on state testing during last Thursday's regular board meeting.

Anna ISD Director of Curriculum Debbie Reutelhuber presented a $7,000 check from Flair Data Systems to board member and Education Foundation President Shelli Conway.

The primary goal of the foundation is to be a private partner of the public education system in Anna. Funds are sought from foundations, corporations and individuals to be distributed to Anna schools.

The board approved the 2010-11 school year budget, with $23,310,603 in revenues and $23,918,657 in expenses.

While the budget is showing a $608,054 deficit, "This is a very liberal budget," explained Director of Finance Scott Wortham. "We may make up most of the deficit before year's end."

The approved tax rate for the 2010-11 school year of $1.54 per $100 of property valuation is the same as last year.

"The tax rate, however, will generate less money for the district than last year due to declining property values," Wortham said.

Assistant Superintendent Thomas O'Neal presented the district's official Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) report, which named the district as Recognized.

"We are gaining in every single area, and the staff is doing a great job," O'Neal said.

The school board also:

Heard the new high school construction update report from Claycomb and Associates and Pogue Construction. The interior is being finished out, the scaffolding is down in the gym, entry areas are being worked on and site work is ready for the practice gym and auditorium. Of the project's $47 million budget, $32.4 million (69 percent) has been allocated.

Approved the Rutherford Taylor Company as Anna ISD auditors for the 2009-10 school year.

Set Sept. 16 as the public hearing date for the district's Financial Indicator Rating System of Texas (FIRST) report.

The hearing coincides with the next regular school board meeting.