In the 2019-20 academic school year, the district added 36 new positions and saw major expenses associated with the implementation of a full day pre-K program and the construction of the new Fox Elementary School, set to open next fall. According to the district's 2020-21 school year budget, the district will add 250 positions, including 85 teachers, 41 bus drivers/ bus attendants, four nurses/clinic assistants and four police officers.
In addition to the new positions, all KISD employees will receive a 2% payroll increase in the upcoming school year, raising the starting teacher salary to $56,500—an increase of $950 from the previous year.
In total, KISD has budgeted to spend more than $600 million in total expenditures for the upcoming school year.
Within the district's general fund—which accounts for 80% of expenditures—KISD has allocated a majority of spending into campus-based expenditures, including a $10 million increase from the previous school year for instruction; a $823,051 increase for guidance, counseling and evaluation; and a $82,479 increase for health services. Simultaneously, the district has planned for a $180,377 decrease from the previous school year in funding for general administration expenditures, a $15,000 decrease in funding for the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program and a $25,759 decrease in funding for community service.
During the June 22 board meeting, KISD Superintendent Jenny McGown expressed her gratitude for community feedback regarding plans for the 2020-21 school year.
"I just finished listening sessions with almost 950 people from across Klein ISD ... and I'm grateful for the feedback and the thoughtfulness and the trust and understanding of the concern that people are experiencing as we think about the 20-21 school year," McGown said. "I know that while there are many challenges, there are also tremendous opportunities to continue doing excellent things for every student in our care."
Click here to see how KISD budget plans compare with other school districts in the Greater Houston area.
