It looks like Taylor Creek Elementary will get school zone signs, if the Lampasas Independent School District and the city of Copperas Cove can come to an agreement. Trustees discussed the situation at Monday's LISD board meeting.

Over the past several weeks, parents have voiced their concerns about children walking to the Kempnerarea campus that has no traffic lights, school zone signs or sidewalks.

Because Big Divide Road lies within the city of Copperas Cove, LISD trustees discussed the matter with Copperas Cove officials, who said the road did not meet the criteria to be a school zone.

If the LISD wants signs installed, it has to pay for the signs and maintenance. Though Copperas Cove would install them, Lampasas ISD would have to pay for installation costs, as well. Copperas Cove would shoulder no liability for the school zone signs, said LISD Superintendent Randy Hoyer.

There would be no change in the speed limit (which is 35 miles per hour), and several board members asked if flashing lights could be installed as a warning to drivers to be cautious in the area.

No action was taken, and Hoyer will continue to visit with Copperas Cove officials to see what can be arranged.

In another matter, a petition has been submitted to the Copperas Cove City Council for annexation of the remainder of the Taylor Creek property which has not yet been annexed into Copperas Cove.

When the process is complete, Copperas Cove emergency officials will respond to 911 calls from the campus. The closest fire station is just two miles from the elementary school.

Hoyer noted that Lampasas County law enforcement personnel will continue to patrol the area, as will Copperas Cove law officials.

In discussing the district's financial picture, Hoyer said the legislature's financing formula has caused Lampasas and many other districts to be funded at the same level it did in the 2005-2006 school year.

"This past year, significant efforts were made to balance the budget, but it will be even tougher next year," said the superintendent, who has been meeting with various officials to ask for their assistance in seeking a new funding formula.

"It can't be considered a fair formula when we generate $4,800 per student, and right up the road Burnet generates $5,100 per student. That gives them an extra $1 million, and they are just up the road. If we had that kind of money, I wouldn't be here talking to you about this now."

Under the current system, there is no way school districts can raise extra money without a tax increase, said Hoyer.

"We have a strong fund balance, and that makes us a lot better off than many other schools."

James Briggs, school board president, said the LISD had to make significant cuts to balance the budget. "We cut $1.3 million of things we really needed to run the district, and when you cut like that, somewhere in the future that has to be made up. It's just a totally unfair situation."

Also Monday, LISD Finance Manager Shane Jones told the board that the district received the highest level of recognition for its handling of financial matters through the School FIRST financial rating system. Of the four levels, the LISD earned the highest or "superior" rating.

Possible uses for the former Lampasas Middle School building also were discussed.

The superintendent considered input from various administrators as well as other district personnel.

Hoyer said the science labs at the building could house Lampasas County Higher Education Center classes as well as GED classes offered by Central Texas College.

The eighth-grade wing could be used for the district's alternative education program, currently at the Phoenix Center. A number of the portables at that site are not in good shape, said the superintendent.

The school's library and office could be a site for the technology department, also housed at the Phoenix Center. "That would be a good use of the facilities," said Hoyer.

The principal's office could be where special education facilities move to alleviate overcrowding at the present location.

The central office also could be relocated to the former LMS campus, which would allow the special education department to move into the District Administration building.

Possible renovations to the kitchen could allow the higher education center to use the space for culinary classes.

The newer gym and weight room are in use by the district's Step program, which promotes health and fitness for district employees and community members.

The gym also is used for dressing facilities for visiting football teams.

The older gymnasium might be considered for some city sports programs, and the vocational building could become a new home for the LISD maintenance department.

And a number of excess portable buildings could be sold, Hoyer said.

Hoyer said the LISD has received a request for the former band hall and portable buildings behind it to be used for the Boys & Girls Club, whose lease at its current site expires at the end of December.

Officials will look at a fee schedule, lease agreement and rules for usage by the club and bring a recommendation to the board at its November meeting.

Hoyer also said considerations include maintaining the building, in the event enrollment growth warrants a separate fifth- or sixthgrade campus, or possibly selling the facility down the road.

"This is all preliminary. We are just starting to look at the possibilities," said the superintendent. "No decisions have been made."

Trustees also signed a resolution nominating candidates for the 2010-2011 board of directors for the Lampasas Central Appraisal District. Nominees are Milton Kellner, Dave Hamilton, Mike Kriegel, Bob Wright and Ted Newsom.

In final business, a resignation was accepted from Cynthia Forsythe, a first-grade teacher at Taylor Creek, and Kara Brown was hired to fill that slot.