Austin ISD trustees will discuss the district’s $1.5 billion preliminary budget at an April 14 meeting. The plan includes over 600 full-time job cuts and a $2 million fund for economically disadvantaged students.

To fund Title 1 campuses and compensation increases, the district is proposing about $52 million in cuts. This includes eliminating 375 positions from AISD’s central office and roughly 260 from schools, starting with attrition and unfilled vacancies. No campus-based employees have lost their jobs, according to an April 14 district press release.

The proposed budget allocates about $21 million for compensation increases. Teachers will receive a $1,000 increase in base pay and a 2% raise at the midpoint. Hourly pay for bus drivers may increase from $17 to $21 per hour, while the district’s hourly minimum wage could rise from $13.50 to $16 per hour.

The Title I fund will support schools that need assistance raising money for extracurricular activities and clubs such as chess, robotics and biking. Elementary schools can receive $20,000-$35,000, middle schools $40,000-$45,000 and high schools up to $100,000.

The board will vote on the final budget in June.