Enrollment, sustainability and compensation were among the top priorities discussed by Frisco ISD’s board of trustees members at their 2023-24 budget workshop.

The lack of additional revenue from the Texas Legislature could lead to a $24 million deficit to start off the year, said Kimberly Smith, the district's chief finance and strategy officer.

Breaking down school funding

The easiest way to think of a school funding formula is to picture a cup, Smith said.

“The size of the cup is equal to the district's formula entitlement, which is an entitlement that is based on each student enrolled in the district and weighted to account for attendance and the cost of each student's individual educational needs,” Smith said.


Filling the cup is then dependent on taxpayer money and state aid funds.

“If we don't collect enough recovery tax revenue to fill up the cup, then the state kicks in the difference,” Smith said.

Budget highlights

The baseline budget is currently $627 million, Smith said. Here is a quick look at some of the changes expected to be included in the budget.
  • An additional two “wellness leave” days on top of the 10 annual leave days
  • A $1,200 raise for teachers, a raise of at least $600 for employees working more than four hours per day and at least $300 for employees working less than four hours per day
  • More staff in the special education departments, dyslexia programs, bilingual programs, prekindergarten programs and more
  • Funds allocated to cover rising costs in communications, extracurricular activities, technology and operations
With only $622 million in funding currently available, the district could start the year with a $24 million deficit, Smith said.


“Based on the fact that we did not get additional revenue from the Legislature, we will be recommending a deficit budget again for the coming year,” Smith said.

Sustainability, one of the main priorities of the budget, led FISD departments to look for cost saving opportunities “wherever possible,” Smith said.

Also of note

The top four things influencing next year’s budget are enrollment, the district’s capital plan, the economy and the Texas Legislature, Smith said. Here is a quick look at where FISD stands in relation to those influences:
  • While enrollment is slowing down overall, students are still consistently enrolling in FISD schools.
    • The Average Daily Attendance rate, which helps determine school funding, is currently $6,160 per student, Smith said.
  • Projects related to the district’s capital plan, such as the openings of two new schools in fall 2023, are on track.
  • Another $32 million left over from the 2022-23 budget is currently earmarked for an elementary school, Smith said.
  • Inflation is estimated at 17%, raising the manufacturing and operating costs for many industries, including education.
  • Rising costs are one reason for the raises proposed in the budget as medical insurance becomes more expensive, Smith said.
  • The Texas Legislature had “left $17 billion on the table” after its most recent session, which may lead to future adjustments in the budget if lawmakers work through them in a special session, Smith said.
One bill lawmakers did pass will give FISD $1.1 million for school resource officers instead of the $626,000 they currently receive, Smith said. However, the district typically spends more than $5 million on resource officers each year, she said.


“That additional $1.1 million won't even cover the money that we spend currently,” Smith said.

Stay tuned

The FISD board of trustees will hold a public hearing for the budget June 12 before they officially adopt it June 20.

More information on upcoming FISD meetings can be found on its public calendar.


Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct an error. Frisco ISD has a $24 million deficit.