Leander ISD approves pay increases for 2012–13

"They didn't get an increase last year," he said. "Our teachers and our staff are losing ground gradually."

Trustee Lisa Mallory said the district should avoid using funds from savings to provide pay raises. She noted the existing $6.7 million deficit in the "work-in-progress" budget and asked how LISD staff was working to bridge the gap.

"I don't think that a sustainable ongoing budget would be to require our teachers and staff not to have a cost-of-living adjustment," Mallory said. "I do understand that costs are going up, and we had our teachers hold the line last year. But I'm just looking at how we are going to get to and come up with a sustainable new normal."

The district plans to revisit previous cost-cutting suggestions staff collected during initial budget cutbacks in 2010, said Ellen Skoviera, assistant superintendent for business and operations. She said the most effective way to trim the budget was through calculated, internal cuts.

"There will be no over-reliance on one-time funds," Skoviera said. "My recommendation is to let us work hard and get that $7 million with systemic change."

At its June 21 meeting, the board also approved a new district food service contract, departing from a 23-year company partnership with Sodexo Inc.

Staff recommended Southwest Foodservice Excellence LLC serve the district as its new food service provider, stating in district documents that offers from both companies were competitive.

Each company placed two bids. Southwest Foodservice Excellence ultimately offered a guaranteed return of $800,000, with estimated an estimated return close to $1.4 million. Staff noted Sodexo offered nearly matched the offer from Southwest, however the management fees were higher and estimated returns were lower.

"With either of the companies, we would be making a very good decision for our children. But we also know the way the budget is," Skoviera said. "With budgets the way they are, we feel we have to make a financial argument for any decision that we are making. And that's ultimately how we arrived at this place."

Three board members were absent: Vice President Russell Bundy, Aaron Johnson and Will Streit.