Selling alcohol at the Berry Center and eliminating some district-level positions are among the top ideas in a list of cost-saving measures Cy-Fair ISD’s budget reduction advisory committee ranked by priority earlier this month.

The 66-member committee includes teachers, principals, parents and administrators and launched in March. The committee ranked the recommendations by priorty April 9-15.

Citing fiscal challenges, Superintendent Doug Killian asked for input from the community on how the district can generate new revenue and cut costs, Community Impact previously reported.

Sorting out details

The committee's recommendations were organized by cost-saving measures and revenue-generating measures.


The top five ideas for cost-saving measures CFISD could potentially implement are as follows:
  • Eliminating positions at the district level
  • Providing a 2% raise for teachers and paraprofessionals/hourly staff and a 1% raise for other staff
  • Reducing district budgets by 7.5%
  • Changing to MERV 8 air filters
  • Raising thermostats by 1 degree at all buildings
The top five ideas for generating revenue CFISD could potentially implement are as follows:
  • Selling alcohol at the Berry Center at non-school events
  • Increasing facility use fees effective July 1
  • Increasing natatorium fees effective July 1
  • Selling the naming rights for the Berry Center stadium and arena, theater and conference center; natatorium; visual and performing arts center; and Pridgeon Stadium
  • Increasing adult varsity football ticket prices
On the other hand

Other ideas, such as reducing staff positions, were not as popular in the rankings. The positions considered for reduction were as follows:
  • Summer receptionists at middle schools
  • Hall monitors
  • College and career specialist positions
  • High school paraprofessionals
  • Attendance officers
  • Maintenance and custodial positions
  • College and career specialists
  • Behavioral interventionists and testing coordinators
The following ideas for raising new revenue for the district fell in the bottom half of the rankings:
  • Holding a voter-approved tax rate election in November 2024 or 2025
  • Expanding the number or capacity of early learning centers, which would likely require a bond program
  • Entering into a brand agreement for district athletics uniforms
  • Allowing rental of district tracks, baseball and softball fields
  • Eliminating nonprofit discounts for Berry Center rentals
What’s next?

The committee will present its findings to CFISD trustees during an April 22 board budget workshop at 6 p.m.

The board is expected to approve a budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year at the June 17 board meeting.