Update July 28
In a special session, Texas lawmakers approved legislation that cut funding for public schools by $4 billion statewide. This new law translates to an approximate reduction of between $7.9 and $8.5 million from for EM-S ISD compared to where we would have been under the previous law. We have done our best to make cuts in areas that least affect students. All departments and schools have trimmed their discretionary budgets by 15% across the board. We have delayed major purchases. There are no cost of living increases for employees. We will have slightly higher student-teacher ratios in our classrooms. With these adjustments we have not had to have any involuntary reductions in staff and have been able to maintain programs for students.
Moving forward, we have been able to:
- Release and post positions that have been on hold
- Move forward with plans to open Chisholm Trail High School in the fall of 2012 and have posted the opening for the principal of the school
We will continue to carefully analyze of all of our programs in the 2011-2012 school year.
In presentations to schools, Dr. Chadwell spoke of building blocks; integral pieces of the budget that would help us deal with the reductions in funding. Below is a chart showing what we predicted and what we now anticipate for the 2011-2012 school year.
Building Block
|
Original Estimate
|
Current Estimate
|
|
15% reduction in discretionary spending |
$750,000
|
$1,400,000
|
Staffing efficiencies
|
$1,500,000
|
$2,000,000
|
Hiring chill on all open positions
|
$250,000
|
$150,000
|
Reduction in 0-year teacher salaries for first year
|
$30,000
|
$10,000
|
Defer major replacements or acquisitions
|
$200,000
|
$200,000
|
Student growth
|
$3,000,000
|
$2,300,000
|
| Increase in tax rate |
$2,500,000 |
$1,900,000 |
Use of fund balance to meet shortfall
|
$1,270,000 |
$0 |
TOTAL
|
$9,500,000
|
$7,960,000
|
Overview
The State of Texas is facing a $27 billion budget shortfall for the next two years (biennium). Funding for public education makes up 44% of the state’s budget. There is no way the state can balance the budget without making steep cuts in many areas, including public education.
Obviously this is big news and school finance has been one of the leading stories in the media. Even though the budget shortfall will affect our district, we have several factors in our favor that give us some tools to work with in order to absorb this cut. These factors are:
The potential budget shortfall for EM-S ISD is estimated to be between $7 million and $26 million dollars. Based upon our research and current state projections, we are planning for a shortfall of $9.5 million dollars. With an operating budget of over $100 million dollars, this represents a cut of just under 10%.
You may be hearing of districts that are already laying off staff and have made plans for layoffs for next year. We hope to be able to absorb the shortfall without layoffs, through attrition. However, if the budget shortfall goes above the $9.5 million dollars, we will have to look at all areas of our budget to make cuts.
The building blocks we hope to use to meet the shortfall are listed below:
| 15% reduction in discretionary spending for all budgets |
$ 750,000 |
|
Improve efficiency in staffing plan
-
Discontinue use of bank units
-
Increase elementary staffing ratios
-
Increase secondary staffing ratios
-
Careful use of waivers
-
Limit voluntary transfers |
$1,500,000 |
| Hiring chill on all open positions (attrition) |
$250,000 |
| $1,000 reduction in 0-year teacher salary scale |
$30,000 |
| Defer major replacements or acquisitions |
$200,000 |
| Student growth of over 600 students |
$3,000,000 |
| Increase in tax rate to max of $1.04 on the M & O tax |
$2,500,000 |
| Use of Fund Balance to meet the shortfall |
$1,270,000 |
| TOTAL |
$9,500,000 |
NOTE: The figures above represent the budget plan currently under consideration and may change based on updates from the legislature. |
Have Questions?
Have a question about EM-S ISD finances? Hear a rumor that you are wondering about? Have some thoughts on how we can reduce the budget?
Send a response to our Budget Mailbox by clicking below.
What's the latest?
Keep up with what is happening in Austin with some of the resources listed below. Read the letter sent by Dr. Chadwell to 65 legislators on Wednesday, March 30. www.capitol.state.tx.ussign up for alerts on bills, action, etc. www.house.state.tx.us www.senate.state.tx.us
www.texastribune.orgThe Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that promotes civic engagement and discourse on public policy, politics, government, and other matters of statewide concern. Moak Casey News Updates
www.moakcasey.com
Moak Casey & Associates are Texas school finance and accountability experts and advise school districts around the state. Visit their website for the latest in legislative updates as well as school finance publications.
What can you do?1. Download Key Talking Points About School Finance written by Dr. Chadwell. You can use these talking points if you need a guide on what to say when you contact your representatives. TIPS ON WRITING YOUR LEGISLATOR. Click here to download an outline of how to write a letter or email to your legislator. Click here to download helpful tips from Arlington ISD if you are going to meet with your representative or senator in person. 2. Contact your state representatives. Addresses below are for EM-S ISD residents. If you don't live in the district, scroll down for a link to find your representatives. Texas State Senator Senate District 12 Senator Jane Nelson Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0112 Capitol Office: CAP 1E.5 Capitol Address: P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station Austin, TX 78711 District Address: 1235 S. Main St., Suite 280 Grapevine TX 76051 Phone: (817) 424-3446
Email form available from Senator Nelson’s website Texas State Representative
House District 99 Representative Charlie Geren
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0610 Capitol Office: EXT E2.308 Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910 Austin, TX 78768 District Address: 1011 Roberts Cutoff River Oaks TX 76114 Phone: (817) 738-8333 Email form available from Representative Geren’s website |
