“So, we are asking for your input and help in identifying ways to generate revenue for the district and cut any waste you may believe exists so we can maintain the exceptional programs and people that make our district great,” Killian said in a statement posted Feb. 27. “There are always unanticipated consequences to recommendations, and we will evaluate all of the ideas to see what can be implemented and with the least impact on the exceptionalness of the students, staff and district,” Killian said.
The big picture
In the online statement, Killian said Texas school districts have not received an increase in funding from the state Legislature since 2019. Like many districts, CFISD has been operating with a deficit budget since that time.
“Thankfully, we have been rescued from ending the year in deficit by utilizing the federal [Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief] funds to pay for more items than we expected, in addition to some internal savings, and not filling all of the budgeted positions,” Killian said. “The latter is both a blessing and a curse. We appreciate not spending the personnel funds to balance the budget, but it creates a hardship for staff and students when positions we need go unfilled.”
The details
Killian said the district will use the remaining funds to try to fill some of the vacant positions as the funds will no longer be available next year. He recommended any remaining balance be spent to shore up budget shortfalls for fiscal year 2024-25.
“After this action, only budget cuts and revenue-generating ideas will balance the budget. CFISD is a very efficiently staffed district with economies of scale and an additional local optional homestead exemption, proudly providing additional savings to our taxpayers,” Killian said. “It is unfortunate we find ourselves in this challenging budget situation.”
What else?
Killian also said school districts are trying to compete for top talent to help drive results.
“Just as the private sector has had to increase salaries to attract and maintain a scarce workforce, educational institutions face similar challenges. Implementing a 1% pay increase across the system costs more than $9 million,” Killian said.
In addition, he said teaching talent is not the only area in which the district is competing in the labor market—there is also a need for nurses, counselors, plumbers, electricians and bus drivers, among other positions.
Those interested in applying to work in CFISD can learn more here.
