The overview
CCISD’s Chief Financial Officer Alice Benzaia presented the challenges, assumptions and priorities at the board of trustees’ March 10 workshop.
She said she will have a better idea of the budget by late May or early June. However, given questions about funding at the state level due to the ongoing legislative session, Benzaia said it’s a challenge trying to balance it.
In the meantime, staff are holding meetings to determine various factors such as enrollment, Benzaia said.
“I’m very concerned about being able to balance a budget this year when I don’t know what I’m working with,” Benzaia said at the meeting.
Benzaia listed the following challenges, which were open to modifications by officials and the board at the workshop:
- Student enrollment with funding being driven by enrollment and attendance. Benzaia said the district’s declining enrollment presents a challenge.
- Inflationary impact of fuel, property and casualty insurance
- Inability to continue to recruit and retain quality staff, including bus drivers and speech pathologists due to a shortage in both fields
- Potential risk of sustainability of current programs in future budget years
Officials also said they believe they’ll see new funding in the special education allotment.
Currently, the Texas Education Agency has a tiered level of funding based on the severity and services that individual students receive in special education. Benzaia said if the level of funding changes, it will be a “risk” going into the next fiscal year, as officials won’t know the amount of funding the district will receive for special education.
What else?
Budget assumptions, according to district documents, include:
- Retain 5% local homestead exemption, which Benzaia said is a requirement to maintain for the next three years
- Strategize with an expected enrollment loss of 317 students
- Meet budget requirements without accessing more than 20% capital and contingency reserve funds
- Maintain an adequate general fund balance
Benzaia also listed the following budget priorities:
- Provide funding to meet goals in the district’s strategic plan
- Competitive salaries, stipends and benefits for employees
- Fund safe and secure program, including student support and counseling services
- Maximize state revenues by promoting student attendance
- Look for ways to increase enrollment, such as the recently expanded limited open enrollment program
- Use excess reserves and existing funds for financial support to meet current budget challenges
- Look for ways to save on costs and be more efficient
The budget challenges, goals, assumptions and priorities will be considered by the board at its March 31 meeting.
The board will meet at 6 p.m. March 31 at the CCISD Education Support Center, which is located at 2425 E. Main St., League City.
