Category: School News

Devine ISD adopts $20.4 million budget for 2024-2025 fiscal year

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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Class of 1974 Natalia High School 50 Year Reunion

The NHS Class of 1974 will be having its golden 50 Year Reunion on June 22nd at the Triple C Restaurant in Devine from 4 to 9:30 pm. The cost is $30 per person to cover the meal, beverage and appetizers. Pay upon entry in cash, by Paypal or Cashapp.
There will be awards, free drawing prizes, trivia about classmates and much more.
See our Facebook page: Natalia High School Class of 1974 or you can call Paul at (210) 378-8767.

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

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.

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Lytle ISD approves 4% raises

Gonzalez named “Honorary Lytle Pirate”

By Brianna Paredes
Devine News Intern
The Lytle School Board held its regular meeting, May 20, 2024 at 6:00 P.M, taking action on several important agenda items including a 4% raise for employees.
Board members Jeremy Davenport, Bobby Duty, LeAnna Mask, Alan Brown, Bobby Sollock, Reagan Wagner were the 6 board members in attendance this evening.
Board votes for 4% raise
The Board concluded the meeting on a newsworthy note by going back to the agenda item regarding the compensation plan, which resulted in approving a 4% raise for all Lytle ISD employees.
“I would like to commend the Lytle ISD Board of Trustees for honoring the education profession with…

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Lytle looks to upgrade buses

By Brianna Paredes
Devine News Intern
This report summarizes some of the actions taken by the Lytle School Board at its regular meeting, May 20, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. Jeremy Davenport, Bobby Duty, LeAnna Mask, Alan Brown, Bobby Sollock, Reagan Wagner were the 6 board members in attendance this evening.
District Fleet Inventory
Lytle School District is currently running 13 different routes every day through the utilization of 15 buses. However, some buses are reserved for short distances within district grounds. The board noted it’s in the district’s best interest to add a couple more new buses with plans to retire a few significantly aged busses though it’s not in the budget this year. It was noted that there are 6 buses on the road without seatbelts every day, due to…

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Lytle ISD

Discusses grants and quotes for large expenditures

By Brianna Paredes
Devine News Intern
At its regular meeting, May 20, the Lytle School Board considered and approved many expenditures and grants covering everything from safety initiatives to architecture on new bond projects.
Quote for Fencing Mesh from Pioneer
The COPS SVPP grant allows for a Fencing Mesh, which according to William Cross is “a mesh stream that applies to our existing chain link because some of our chain link.” Cross stated “this will make it non-scalable, so it will keep our facilities safe.” This will be arranged around the elementary, cafeteria, and the primary. Cross clarifies the purpose of the fencing as to “keep people out” of school grounds, where it can comparably be of use to also “keep students in”. Costs are estimated at $67,759. This motion was passed.
Quote from Flexile Systems
A multi-million dollar SAFE Cycle 1 grant will aide in network infrastructure, allowing for updating UCS servers, virtual servers, and battery backup. Considering it has been around five years since the last installation, conditions call for a replacement at the cost of $289,884.78. At this, Jeremy Davenport moves to approve the quote, Bobby Duty seconds, accepting the quote from…

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