Fielder takes seat on LISD Board

By LPR Staff
Editor/POST-REGISTER

During a special meeting on Monday, the Lockhart ISD board of trustees chose a candidate to fill the vacancy left by Charles Kelly”s resignation earlier this month.
After an executive session in which they discussed the eight applicants, which included former board members and recent candidates, the trustees chose Alan F

ielder of Lockhart to fill the at-large position until the term expires in May.
“We had a lot of good applicants,” said trustee Clint Mohle. “I hope that some of them choose to run for the at-large elections in May. But based on his experience and what we felt he could bring to the table, we felt that Mr. Fielder would be the best candidate to fill the seat.”
Fielder served on the board of trustees for several years in the 90s.
When they returned to regular session, the trustees voted 5-1 to bring Fielder to the board. Trustee Tim Juarez stood alone against the decision.
“I would have liked to have more time to review the information we had,” Juarez said. “Based on what we heard from the community when all this started, I think they wanted some new ideas and perhaps a woman on the board. But I am looking forward to working with [Fielder] and continuing the good forward motion that we”ve started.”
In other business, the board announced that a public hearing will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 30 to discuss the district”s proposed tax rate for the coming fiscal year.
Based on preliminary budget figures, the board suggested a maximum tax rate of 1.69 per $100 of valuation. However, with that rate being the maximum, the board can determine any rate lower than that, depending upon the final budget requirements.
According to Finance Director Tina Knudsen, her staff is in the final stages of preparing the budget.
“Now that we”ve got the purchasing officer hired, we have been able to catch up,” she said. “I could possibly have something together for you to look at for the next meeting (on Aug. 22), but it wouldn”t be nearly as complete as I”d like it to be.”
The board has scheduled budget workshops for late next week and early the following week, so they can review the budget prior to the public hearing.
The board will meet in the Lockhart High School Conference Center (old library) on Monday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.