NISD lowers taxes

Navasota Board of Trustees voted unanimously Monday, Aug. 23, to approve the proposed tax rate for 2021 which will lower taxes 4.3 cents.

During the monthly meeting, the board also voted to approve the balanced budget for the 2021-2022 (fiscal year 2022).

Skate park expansion

Navasota Evening Lions Club members Brian Colbert and B.J. Moody discussed phase two of the skate park expansion project. Moody also serves on the Navasota Parks and Recreation Board.

The current skate park is located at 100 Stadium Drive in Navasota, next to Brule Field and the original land for the project was acquired for the construction in 2009. Moody stated when the project was initially being planned it was supposed to be a two-phase project, but phase two stalled.

After securing $20,000 toward phase two from Navasota Evening Lions Club, Moody said they are at a point where they can begin construction if they are able to secure the property to do so.

Colbert and Moody asked NISD to donate a triangle portion of property adjacent to Brule Field for the expansion of the project to the City of Navasota. Once they are able to secure the property, Moody said they will be able to apply for grants to assist with funding.

Navasota Superintendent Dr. Stu Musick stated if unless the property is being gifted to a 501 C3 then it has to be sold even if that is for only $1.

The Navasota Parks and Recreation Board will have the property surveyed and return for board approval at a future meeting.

Navasota Diamonettes

Navasota Diamonettes Head Director Nichole Phillips discussed a Spring Break trip for the Diamonettes to the school board.

Phillips said this year’s theme is a vintage cowgirl theme, “Rounding up the Bus since 1974” and she would like to take the dancers on a trip to Nashville, Tennessee. “We think this will be a lot of fun and very educational,” explained Phillips. Every day we are there are several educational moments we get to attend from museums to line-dancing.”

Phillips said this year they have 37 Diamonettes and expect 10 parents to also attend the trip. She also said the Diamonette Booster Club decided to pay half the cost of the trip for each student.

Navasota Diamonettes sells fireworks each year for the booster club to help offset costs throughout the year. “Fireworks are doing very well for us.”

If approved the trip will be through Greenlight Group Tours. Phillips said this is a new tour group because the previous tour group went out of business due to COVID-19. Greenlight will provide a security guard throughout the trip and also allows parents to pay for the trip online.

The cost each student would be responsible for paying is approximately $650. That cost includes a charter bus.

“Anytime someone brings an out of state trip proposal to us we’ve always done that on a two-month schedule,” said Musick. They bring it for a discussion one month and back for approval the following month.

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 20, at 6:30 p.m.