The Cy-Fair ISD board of trustees is set to consider the 2013-14 budget in late June, since it was uncertain how much money would be allocated to public education before the end of the legislative session.

"The message we were receiving from legislators prior to the 83rd legislative session was that school finance wouldn't be addressed due to the uncertain outcome of the lawsuit, and that there wouldn't be additional funding for public education," said Stuart Snow, associate superintendent for business and financial services. "Now the lawsuit has been ruled in the plaintiff's favor, and the Texas House and Senate are adding significant funding to public schools."

Approximately $3.9 billion was restored to public education funding this session, after nearly $5 billion was cut during the 2011 legislative session. For the second year in a row—following more than five years of budget cuts—CFISD does not expect to make any budget cuts, but instead pass a balanced budget and provide funding for several goals, including pay raises.

The proposed budget calls for a 3.5 percent salary increase for hourly and paraprofessionals in the district and a 3 percent increase for all other employees. In addition, the district plans to provide a starting teacher salary of $48,000 for the 2013-14 school year, which is expected to increase again in 2014-15.

"We feel it's necessary and important we provide a starting teacher salary that's the highest in this area," Snow said. "Our goal over the next two years, as long as funding is available, is to provide a starting teacher salary of $50,000 by next year."

Since the legislature did not finalize education funding until early June, detailed budget expenditure and revenue amounts were not available, but Snow said regardless of the outcome, it most likely would not affect the proposed budget goals.

"We took a very conservative approach of what may pass at the legislative level for appropriations," he said. "When I come back to you next month, I will provide for you detailed amounts of information with revenues and expenditures."

In addition to the pay raises, the district plans to provide funding for math and science curriculum coaches, additional technology analysts and specialists, additional CFISD police officers and equipment and provide for the opening of Pope Elementary in Bridgeland this fall.