The $87.82 million budget was approved by the board of trustees June 24.
The breakdown
Here is a breakdown of the total $87.82 million budget:
- $60.11 million in the general fund
- $2.59 million in the child nutrition fund
- $25.12 million in the debt service fund
- $1.94 million shortfall
The budget is based on an estimated tax rate of $1.2358 per $100 valuation. This is broken down between the maintenance and operations tax rate—which covers daily costs, such as payroll—of $0.7358 per $100 valuation, and the debt service rate, which is projected to be $0.50 per $100 valuation.
Diving deeper
More than half of CISD’s budget is dedicated to instruction, making up 57.88% of expenditures. The FY 2024-25 budget also reflects the 3% midpoint raise approved for teachers and staff earlier in June.
The operating budget includes an additional 109 staff positions. This is due in part to the opening of Bothwell Elementary School in the 2024-25 school year, which creates 54 new positions. New positions are also due to growth and program needs, according to the budget presentation.
The budget also reflects additional costs for inflation.
Property, auto and professional liability insurance have increased 54%. Utility costs have increased 26% while the cost of hiring substitutes has increased by 15%, according to district documents.
CISD’s recapture payment to the state is $605,901. Recapture allows the Legislature to take excess local property tax dollars from school districts and use it to help balance the state budget, according to www.recapturetexas.org.
Looking ahead
The use of a voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, may be considered to set the district's FY 2024-25 maintenance and operations tax rate. A VATRE is used when a district needs to increase its maintenance and operations tax rate above a prescribed threshold.
CISD is also in the midst of planning for a future bond program expected in 2025.
