Category: Devine ISD

By Anton Riecher
The Devine Independent School District school board voted 5-0 Monday to adopt a budget of $20.458 million for the 2024-2025 school year, an increase of $1.194 million from the previous year.
“After month and months and lots of discussion and lots of questions we’re going to adopt our 2024-2025 budget tonight,” director of finance Shannon Ramirez said.
Of the seven-member board, only board president Nancy Pepper, board secretary Keri James, and trustees Carl Brown, Alixana Buvinghausen and Renee Frieda were present for the vote.
Action on a tax rate to support the new budget is not expected until August, Ramirez said. The projected maintenance and operations rate would be $.7115 compared to $.7270 supporting the current budget.
However, that M&O rate could be compressed to $.6315 under a property tax initiative pending action by the Texas Legislature in July, Ramirez said.
The projected interest and sinking fund rate is $.2400 with the application of this year’s voter approved bond issue. That is equal to I&S under the current budget.
Projected revenue from local taxes is just over $5 million, Ramirez said. State funding is expected to be…

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This past school year brought great excitement and friendships for me! I was asked to teach Forensic Science and Disaster Response, at the High School!

Continue reading “Forensic Science & Diaster Response class at Devine HS”

School districts that receive federal funds are required to provide equitable services for eligible school children, teachers, and other educational personnel at registered private non-profit schools that desire to participate.

Continue reading “Devine ISD to provide qualified Private Non-Profit (PNP) Schools with Equitable Services”

DHS Band percussion ensemble performed at the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest and received a division 2. Pictired are Carson Suhr, Charly Nelson, Lillian Schenck, Tracy Alaniz, Ace Sosa, Esai Sanchez, and Elijah Unger.

Pictured are Devine High School Top 10 students: Lennon Herring Valedictorian, Tommy Hinkle Salutatorian, David Hopkins, Kelsey Dishman, Kaylee Romano, Brooklyn Miller, Diego Mendoza, Leah Romero, Abner Flores-Castro, and Sabrina Lindsey.

By Anton Riecher
A first grade class at Devine ISD taught by Brittany Briscoe placed first in the state of Texas in a national math solving competition known as SplashLearn.
Briscoe’s class is one of three Devine ISD kindergarten and elementary class to place in the top 10 in Texaas. Both Brittany and fellow first grade teacher Shelby Spivey received official recognition for their achievements during the Devine school board meeting Monday night.
“Teachers have been competing over the last 10 weeks in a program called SplashLearn, a math challenge that students all over the U.S. participate in,” veteran Devine ISD pre-kindergarten teacher Melissa Gutierrez explained to the board.
SplashLearn is a game-based learning program that adapts to each students’ skill level and helps them master appropriate math skills at their own pace. Once enrolled, students can immediately start…

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By Anton Riecher
Devine is only one of many Texas school districts facing potential budget deficits as school board trustees labor into the summer months developing their 2024-2025 budgets.
“We can only write checks for the amount of money we have in the bucket,” Devine superintendent Todd Grandjean said. “You have to start making tough decisions about personnel and resources.”
The Devine school board met May 14 for the second of three workshops scheduled to decide what should be included in the budget.
With no additional state funding for schools approved by the Texas Legislature in 2023 unofficial estimates project that more than half of the state’s school districts face dipping into money set aside in unassigned fund balance to cover emergencies.
Grandjean said the school board finds itself in much better shape regarding the new budget than anticipated.
“You always start with everything that anyone can possibly list as to what they feel can benefit students, improve…

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There will be summer camps held in Devine beginning in June. Camp registration will be through HometownFans. Information will be available around May 15.

Continue reading “Devine Summer Camps”

Kindergarten Enrollment and Registration is continuing on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 (9:00 am – 11:00 am)
Required Documents:
Immunization Record (shot record),Official Birth Certificate, Social Security Card, Proof of Residency within the boundaries of Devine ISD, – Rental Agreement or – Lease Agreement or – Property Tax Receipt/Mortgage Agreement – Copy of Custodial Parent/Guardian’s Valid Driver’s License or other Approved Photo Id.