Money is tight, and the Lampasas Independent School District is considering every possibility for additional revenue to meet its needs. But one option is off the table -- for now.

Superintendent Dr. Brant Myers presented trustees with the hard facts at Monday night's board meeting, and though trustees concur that school districts have fallen on hard times, they perceive now is not the time to consider lifting the self-imposed $1.50 per $100 tax cap.

"It's pretty simple," said Myers. "We've been talking about it for months. We've been locked into this $1.50 since 1962. Do we want to start preparing to lift it?"

May 2009 would be the first opportunity to put the tax measure before voters, Myers said. "Do we push this or leave it as it is? If we leave it, money is going to get tighter," he said.

"I know this is not going to be a popular decision."

Trustee Kirk Whitehead said too many things are going on in the LISD to consider lifting the cap right now. "The cost of fuel is high, other projects are going on. I don't think anyone will vote for it," he said.

"I think a lot of people thought that when the bond passed to build new schools we could do it without lifting the cap. We're not even done with construction, and we're going to ask to lift the cap."

Whitehead said a lot of public education would be needed before the district makes the move. "I don't think this is the right time."

Board President James Briggs said the LISD is suffering because of inflation, a less-than-expected student enrollment and a freeze on revenue from taxes. "If the state hadn't frozen our funds, we could look at this in the future.

"We've got to start showing a need right now, and we have to come up with a plan before we do anything."

Board member Wesley Crow joked: "If gas goes back to $1.50 a gallon, we might have a chance."

But, he said, it's a waste of time and money to try to get the cap lifted at this time. "Maybe next summer if the economy starts to look better you might have a chance. I know we've made some cuts, but we'll have to make some tough cuts to show people how drastic it really is."

Briggs said trustees have sent a letter to each politician involved in school finance to request the state pick up its share of the burden and to relate the lower enrollment numbers.

Board members also looked at new enrollment figures for the 2008-09 term for all grades below high school. At registration last week, 145 new students signed up, compared to 231 the previous year.

New student registration for Lampasas High School is Monday for seniors and juniors and Tuesday for entering freshmen and sophomores from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the school library. Late registration is Aug. 20 from 5-7 p.m. in the library.

In other business, trustees deadlocked on a 3-3 vote related to retaining the law firm of Schwartz & Eichelbaum as its legal counsel.

Board members were asked to consider whether to pay the firm its hourly fee of $195, or to sign an agreement for unlimited hours for $72,000.

Through the May billing this year, the LISD has used about 270 billable hours for $53,000 thus far. "And we still have part of May, June, July and August," said LISD Business Manager Shane Jones.

"With ongoing construction, zoning, increased testing and accountability issues, opening and staffing new campuses, etc., we do not anticipate the number or complexity of the issues to decrease in the foreseeable future," said Myers.

The law firm has represented the LISD since October 1999. An approved contract would run from Sept. 1, 2008 to Aug. 31, 2009.

Briggs, Whitehead and Trustee Ron Farr voted to sign the yearly contract, while Crow and Trustees Max Keele and Andrew Irvin voted against it.

Board member Bill Haisler was absent.

The matter will be reconsidered at the next meeting when Haisler is expected to be present.

Also Monday, the September board meeting was changed to Sept. 8 due to the Labor Day holiday.

And, a resignation was accepted from Dawn Jacques, a Kline Whitis teacher.

New hires include Tara Davis, teacher, Lampasas High School; Tommie Parker and Marie McGuire, Hanna Springs Intermediate; Elisha Simpkins and Christopher Munoz, teachers/coaches, Lampasas Middle School; Kelly Payne, teacher/coach, LHS; April McDonald, Kline Whitis.

With these hires, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Student Services Tony Peter said all professional positions have been filled for the 2008-09 school year.