Local schools win state funding appeals

By Carrie Helms, Clarendon Enterprise

After a successful appeal to the state for funding, Clarendon and Hedley schools will receive all of the funding for the 2002-2003 school year they had expected.

In March, the schools stood to lose almost half a million dollars because of discrepancies in valuations in the two districts by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts’ and the Donley County Appraisal District.

“Because our local valuation was within 5% of the state’s valuation,” CISD Superintendent Monty Hysinger said, “the Comptroller’s office accepted our numbers.”

According to Paula Lowrie of the Appraisal District, this problem has occurred more than once, but each time, the appeal has been successful.

“When all is said and done, they accept our numbers,” Lowrie said. “We work hard all year long to do things right, and there is no need for us to change the way we do things.”

The state system may be flawed, but Hysinger does not see any changes in the future.

“There has to be some give and take,” Hysinger said.  “The state was not correct in many of their valuations, but the local office may need some adjustment as well.”

The schools will not be receiving new monies, but they will get all the funds they had planned for.

“Both the Donley County Appraisal District and the firm that represented us should be commended,” Hysinger said.  “We are just relieved that even though this doesn’t end our financial worries, we won’t lose any aid we counted on.”