Clear Creek ISD’s board of trustees approved its budget for the upcoming school year at its Aug. 21 meeting and, pending voter approval in November, could see a balanced budget.

The overview

CCISD’s budget for fiscal year 2023-24, which will start Sept. 1, anticipates $381.5 million in both revenue and expenses, about $16.1 million more than last year’s budget, according to district documents.

Breaking even, however, will come only if the district can get an additional $17.4 million through a voter-approval tax rate election, also known as a VATRE. Voters will decide that at the ballot box in November.

By the numbers

The breakdown of expenses for the district, according to district documents, is:

• $337.72 million on payroll
• $17.91 million on contracted services
• $13.23 million on supplies and materials
• $11.92 million on other operating costs
• $715,000 for debt service

The district’s revenue breakup will look different than previous years. Due to the state recently compressing property tax rates with its new Senate Bill 2, the district will be taking home less money locally. However, it will take in more from the state too, which will help offset the costs.

District officials also expect to take in less from the federal government too, according to district documents.

One key expense tacked onto its new budget was $5 million in raises for employees passed in July.

The raises will give a 1% increase to teachers, professional and administrative staff; a 2% raise for nonexempt staff; and other market adjustments, according to district documents.

What else?

District officials expect to face a shortfall next year, too, but the size of it will depend on the VATRE in November. If voters deny the VATRE, the district could be faced with a shortfall of more than $30 million, which officials have said would result in, among other things, increased classroom sizes.