Spring ISD’s budget for fiscal year 2022-23—which was unanimously approved by trustees on June 14—saw a $5.4 million increase in general fund dollars being dedicated to instructional costs.
Instructional costs—which covers payroll and professional development training for teachers, teacher aides, librarians, instructional coaches and supplies, according to SISD—makes up 56.4% of the FY 2022-23 budget’s general fund cost, or just over $200.8 million. This category took up 1.4% more than the FY 2021-22 budgeted general fund, even though a smaller amount—nearly $195.5 million—was budgeted.
The FY 2022-23 Instructional Leadership function saw a $2.7 million increase compared to the FY 2021-22 budget, at roughly $11.2 million and $8.5 million, respectively. This budget item covers salaries and material costs for principals, assistant principals and central office personnel, according to SISD.
In May, trustees approved pay raises of 5.3%-5.7% for current teachers, depending on their tenure with the district, as well as average raises of 11% for paraprofessionals for the upcoming school year. Classified employees will receive an average raise of 7% in the 2022-23 school year, while all other SISD employees will receive a 2% raise.
“Though we realize we're in a bit of a deficit, I think we've made the best of what we have,” Board President Justine Durant said on June 14.
Trustees initially began discussing the FY 2022-23 budget in March, deliberating on department budget cuts and decreased student enrollment.
“It's been a very long process. ... This has been a very different time,” Durant said. “We've seen loss of our students and revenue, and still been able to move forward.”
The total amount allocated for SISD’s general fund in the FY 2022-23 budget is nearly $357.4 million, or about $10,634 per student. The FY 2022-23 cost per student is 4.1% higher than the cost per student adopted in the FY 2021-22 budget, which was $10,218.
SISD’s debt service fund budgeted for FY 2022-23 is nearly $69.6 million, or $2,071 per student, which is 4% higher compared to FY 2021-22, which budgeted a cost of $1,991 per student.
The district estimates student enrollment for the 2022-23 school year will be about 33,610, according to the FY 2022-23 budget document.
In April, the district’s first set of property value estimates from the central appraisal district were used to determine the district’s proposed tax rate and budget. SISD will receive more property value estimates in July and in August before trustees ultimately consider setting the tax rate in October, Chief Financial Officer Ann Westbrooks said.
According to the estimate, SISD’s values increased by 14.54% compared to the previous fiscal year. With a proposed tax rate of $1.2646 per $100 valuation, the district’s total tax rate would fall by almost $0.05 compared to the current tax rate of $1.3128 per $100 valuation, Westbrooks said on May 10. If approved, the maintenance and operations tax rate would be $0.8546, and the interest and sinking rate would be $0.41.
Last October, trustees approved a total district tax rate for FY 2021-22 of $1.3128 per $100 valuation, down from the previous year’s tax rate. The district’s interest and sinking tax rate is $0.41 per $100 valuation.
