MFISD briefs on campus carry firearms policy, budget

Marble Falls school trustees heard briefings Monday about school board policies for the coming year, including those for school district employees au- thorized to carry fire arms on campus.

Those policies haven’t changed, said Assistant Superintendent for Administration Stan Whittle. They’ve simply been moved to a different category.

“It’s a new series and board policy,” Whittle said, “but I did want you to know that all of the verbiage that we previously had in CKC local is verbatim. It’s just now in CKE.”

The letters indicate different school board policy headings.

The policy covers such things as which employees can carry firearms (they must be authorized by the superintendent), what training they need and that the employee must volunteer to be chosen.

Psychological tests are required before the person can receive authorization, the policy says.

School board members who volun- teer to carry firearms can be authorized by the board president. They must meet the same requirements as school employees.

Either board members or employees must have a Texas Department of Public Safety-issued license to carry (LTC) a handgun before being allowed to carry one on campus, the policy says.

Other policies covered Monday included how board members should disclose potential conflicts of interest; how complaints regarding harassment, discrimination, retaliation and other matters should be submitted; and the responsibilities of school resource officers.

Budget Update

Board members also heard that 90.81 percent of the 2023-2024 fiscal year budget has been spent.

Figures show that the budget expected revenues totaling $57,950,000; so far, $55,726,874 or 96.16 percent has been received.

The district's budget called for expenditures of $57,800,000; so far $55,689,943 has been spent.

No budget category has exceeded its budget for the year so far, according to the report.

The district's fiscal year ended June 30.

The board agreed to buy a 2024 Chevrolet Suburban from Chevrolet Buick Marble Falls for $59,115.39, replacing one of two SUVs lost during the April hail storm.

Whittle told trustees the state's cooperative buying program couldn't find a vehicle in time for the coming school year.

The money comes from a 2018 budget item allocated for vehicle purchases, Whittle said.

Trustees returned from a 48-minute closed door session to approve “personnel as presented in executive session.” During the meeting, no further explanation was offered.