Clear Creek ISD’s board of trustees will convene Aug. 23 to discuss the district’s budget for fiscal year 2021-22—a year where educators will be trying to make up for pandemic-related learning losses.
The board aims to provide “optimal and targeted levels of funding and staffing for improved student achievement” to meet the goals identified within CCISD’s strategic plan, as well as to address any learning gaps from the effects of COVID-19 in 2021, according to documents presented at an Aug. 9 budget workshop.
Trustees and district leaders reviewed details about the recommended budget Aug. 9. Among the highlights of the recommended budget: the tax rate may be reduced by more than $0.07.
The maintenance and operations tax rate may be reduced by $0.0462 for a total of $0.1503 over five years, and the debt service tax rate may be reduced by $0.03 for a total of $0.06 over five years, per board documents. The proposed overall tax rate is $1.1897, a reduction of $0.07062 from last fiscal year’s rate of $1.2659.
Local revenue increases would total nearly $11 million, primarily due to an estimated increase in tax collections based on property value growth, per board documents. State revenue is projected to decrease by nearly $3 million, but federal program revenue is set to increase by nearly $2.8 million. The recommended budget is balanced with no projected transfer from the capital and contingency fund.
Two-thirds of the general fund would be spent on direct classroom instruction and resources, with another 11% being spent on student support services like counseling, health services and transportation. Nearly 90% of the general fund would be used for employee staffing and benefits under the recommended plan.
There would also be $2.15 million in federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds allocated for fiscal year 2022-23, per board documents. These would be spent in FY 2021-22 on student intervention and tutoring, as well as on professional learning that is meant to improve first-time instruction.
Under the recommended budget, staffing has been added and reallocated to improve instruction and operations, using both the operating budget and federal grant funds. A total 27.5 staffing units were reduced, 22 of which were reassigned, and several staff members would be available to meet core student enrollment needs upon their return to classrooms, per board documents. Another 8.9 staffing units would be added to meet the needs of the special education population.
The district’s FY 2021-22 benefits and compensation plan was approved by the board July 26 and includes a 3% salary increase for all employees. Trustees, with this vote, also approved an increase in the district’s health insurance premium contribution for staffers.
CCISD maintains a consistently low administrative cost ratio compared to the state average, which would continue next fiscal year under the proposed plan. Texas Education Agency’s standard administrative cost ratio for a large district like CCISD is 8.55%; CCISD has been below 5% for the last 14 years, per board documents.
The board approved a series of budget goals, risks and assumptions April 26. One assumption made in the spring was that the Texas Legislature would fully fund virtual education; although 12 public education-related bills were approved during the 87th legislative session, none involved the funding of remote learning.
Risks include COVID-19 mitigation, availability of federal relief funds and enrollment coming in below projections. The district expects to have just more than 41,000 students enrolled this year, CCISD communications staff said earlier in August.
The board meets from 6-9 p.m. Aug. 23 at 2425 E. Main St., League City. Documents from the Aug. 9 budget hearing presentation can be viewed here. Click here for details about the fiscal year 2020-21 budget as previously reported by Community Impact Newspaper.
