The Friendswood Independent School District Board of Trustees approved the budget by a vote of 7-0 for the 2009-2010 school year at a special board meeting August 31.
      The Board has heard numerous budget presentations during regularly scheduled Board meetings and had a special workshop to discuss the budget on August 18.  

      The Public Hearing was the final step in the budget development process prior to adoption. The proposed budget for adoption is the final result of all revisions, which were completed during the past several months.
      Once the budget is legally adopted, funds are considered available for expenditures as of September 1, 2009.
      The "Truth in Taxation" requirements of school districts in Texas prior to approval of the tax rate include the opportunity for the Board of Trustees to discuss the approved budget expenditures and needed revenue levels for the 2009-2010 school year. In addition, a public hearing for community input or concerns in regard to taxation is provided regardless of whether the tax levy is increasing, decreasing, or remaining the same. The Board of Trustees conducted a public hearing on this same day prior to this agenda item. The official consideration for approval of the tax rate for 2009 was Monday, August 31. The M&O tax rate is $1.04 and D/S tax rate is $0.327 for a total tax rate of $1.367.
      The 2009 property tax rate for the Friendswood Independent School District was unanimously approved and  set at $1.04 for maintenance and operation purposes and at $.327 for the interest and sinking fund for a total rate of $1.367 per hundred dollars taxable value.