Taylor Creek Elementary in the county's east side is moving a step closer to construction with Lampasas Independent School District Board of Trustees expected to look at a bid for the guaranteed maximum price at a called meeting July 21.

Trustees also reviewed progress at the new Lampasas High School campus site on U.S. Highway 281 South. Work is moving swiftly, with the laying in of water lines and piers drilled.

Cement and steel work also is continuing.

"From day to day we can see more than 100 workers out there on the site," said Superintendent Dr. Brant Myers. "There is lots going on out there."

In other business at Monday's meeting, trustees agreed to set an Aug. 25 public hearing for the district's budget and proposed tax rate for the 2008-09 school year.

Business Manager Shane Jones recommended proposed rates of $1.04 per $100 valuation for maintenance and operations, and an additional $.46 to cover debt on bonds issued for LISD building projects. That would bring the total tax rate to $1.50 per $100 valuation, which puts the district at its self-imposed tax cap. The same rate was levied the previous year.

Trustees again postponed action on infrastructure projects recommended by Ron Poague, LISD technology director. The item had been considered at several previous meetings, and board members agreed to wait until the figures for the Kempner school project come in.

In another matter, James Briggs, LISD board president, asked for support for a letter he sent to state officials regarding lack of funding for schools.

Briggs is concerned because legislators have frozen school funding at the 2005-06 level. "To get additional money, we have to either raise taxes or increase our enrollment," he said, adding that more enrollment brings hidden problems and higher costs.

Briggs also said when property appraisals increased in the past, the LISD was receiving benefits from the enhanced values locally. "Now, if appraisal values increase, the state gives us less money, not allowing for inflation, additional fuel costs, salaries and other items," he said. "That amounts to a secret tax that they slipped in there."

The board president said he will continue to make contact with legislators to see what can be done to improve the funding for school districts.

A number of teacher resignations were accepted, with nearly as many hires announced Monday night.

Resignations came from Susan Browder and Jessica Wright, Hanna Springs Intermediate, third grade; Stephanie Ehler, Lampasas High School English; Michelle Hinojosa, chemistry teacher/coach, LHS; Charlotte Jones and Sheena Mayo, licensed specialists in school psychology; Heather Proffitt and Jeanni Whitehead, Kline Whitis, first grade; Larry Scevers, Kline Whitis counselor; John Schmalstieg, LHS, business computer information systems; and Kathy Ward, LHS counselor.

New hires include Raymond Otterson Jr., LHS assistant principal; Penny Wilson, LHS counselor; Kristy DeKort, Corinne Groberg, Linda Gonzalez and Amanda Ozuna, Hanna Springs; Tresa Kellner and Steven Smith, Kline Whitis; Wendy LaBauve, speech pathologist; Sharon Smith, special education intern; Tonia Templeton, LHS, English; and Keely Trauber, Lampasas Middle School teacher/coach.

And board members agreed to change the 2008-09 school calendar and close campuses for Memorial Day. Absences were high this year as many took their children out of school for the holiday, which cost the LISD attendance dollars, said the board president.