Many school districts adjusted staffing through attrition or position elimination, and have faced periods of budget shortfall.
District officials in Hays County, including Dripping Springs ISD, Hays CISD and San Marcos CISD, are expecting more amendments, particularly for staff raises, to come later this summer following education legislation from the 89th Texas Legislature.
See how local districts are preparing for the upcoming fiscal year.
Note the districts are not directly comparable due to different student populations and demographics.
Dripping Springs ISD
The DSISD board of trustees passed a $101 million operating budget and a $3.07 million shortfall at a board meeting June 23. DSISD officials estimate over $104 million in expenditures, resulting in the shortfall. About 83% of the operating budget will go to payroll costs.
The adopted budget does not include general pay increases or new revenues and instead is based on current law and property growth estimates. Deputy Superintendent Elaine Cogburn said DSISD administration is waiting to receive more information in August regarding changes from the recent legislative session.
Through recently passed House Bill 2, teachers will receive annual salary increases based on years of experience. The bill also includes funding for an increase to the basic allotment, school safety, special education, nonadministrative staff and more.
Read more here.
Hays CISD
HCISD trustees approved a $377 million budget June 23 following a period of projected shortfall and staffing changes.
The district previously had an over $14 million shortfall, but district officials were able to bring it down to an estimated $11.4 million through properly coding previously incorrect staff positions in the payroll system. Fund balance funds will be used to cover the $11.4 million, which allowed HCISD trustees to adopt a balanced budget.
The approved budget only included detailed pay changes for teachers with three or more years of experience because of House Bill 2.
Read more here.
San Marcos CISD
SMCISD will operate with an $88 million budget with expenditures estimated to be over $94 million, following 6-1 board approval June 16. That leaves the district with a nearly $6.6 million shortfall to come from reserve funds.
The operating budget includes costs for instruction, curriculum and staff development, general administration, and more. The district will also cover a higher insurance rate per employee at $484, up $39 from the previous $445 rate.
SMCISD officials also made staffing changes through attrition and position elimination.
SMCISD trustees will be amending the budget later this summer to account for legislative changes, property value estimates and other state information.
Read more here.
Learn more
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