2011-2012 District Budget - San Antonio Independent School District

GLOSSARY OF TERMS
SURETY BOND - A written promise to pay damages or to indemnify against losses caused by the
party or parties named in the document, through nonperformance or through defalcation; for example,
a surety bond given by a contractor or by an official handling cash or securities.
TAX LEVY - The total amount of funds to be raised by general property taxes for operating ad debt
service purposes that is determined by the Bexar County Appraisal District.
TAXES - Compulsory charges levied by a governmental unit for the purpose of financing services
performed for the common benefit. It does not include special assessments.
TAX ROLL - The official list showing the amount of taxes levied against each taxpayer or property
from the Bexar County Appraisal District.
TEXAS ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS (TAKS) - This is an examination for
students in grades 3 through 11 that measures knowledge and skills taught in public schools, and
which is used to allow students to progress to the next higher grade. This test was administered for
the first time during school year 2003-2004. The Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) was
TAKS predecessor.
TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY (TEA) - This agency exercises general control of the public
education at the state level in accordance with the provisions of the Texas Education Code.
TIER I - This term refers to each school district’s share of the foundation school program. It consists
of an allotment per student times ADA plus categorical aid for special population students.
TIER II - This term refers to a guarantee yield component of the Foundation School program which
provides each school district with the opportunity to enrich the basic educational program funded
through Tier I. Each school district is guaranteed a specified amount per weighted student in state
and local funds for each cent of tax effort over that required for the districts local fund assignment up
to the maximum specified by state law.
TEACHER RETIREMENT SYSTEM (TRS) - An agency of the state of Texas created to provide
service and disability retirement benefits and administer a healthcare program for all eligible public
school employees.
WEIGHTED AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE (WADA) - This is used to in Tier II to
represent a count of students. In simplified terms, it is the result of dividing the cost of Tier I by the
Tier I adjusted basic allotment.
YIELD – The rate earned on an investment based on the price paid for the investment, the insert
earned during the period held, and the selling price or redemption value of the investment.
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