The big picture
District leaders hope to make budget reductions before the FY 2024-25 budget is approved this summer and then cut an additional $13 million ahead of the next fiscal year, Superintendent Lupita Hinojosa said Feb. 8.
“We will continue to chip away at this,” Hinojosa said. “We knew this was coming, and so our work had started already. Now it's here. ... Can we cut $25 million in one year? No. There's no way, but we can do our due diligence.”
On Jan. 11, potential budget cuts were brought to the board of trustees for feedback, SISD Chief Financial Officer Ann Westbrooks said. On Feb. 8, a revised list of $11.9 million in possible budget cuts was presented to trustees.
According to Feb. 8 meeting presentation materials, the potential cuts include:
- Reducing the number of clerical and library aides on campuses
- Cutting the number of school interventionist positions on campuses
- Slashing central office costs, such as print services, postage, travel expenses and miscellaneous contract services
On Feb. 8, Westbrooks said the district’s projected budget shortfall is being caused by:
- High rates of inflation
- Raises the district awarded employees in previous fiscal years
- Lowered rates of student enrollment and average daily attendance caused by the coronavirus pandemic
- Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund federal monies expiring on Sept. 30, 2024
Public school leaders across the state called for an increase in public school funding ahead of the 88th legislative session in January 2023, as previously reported by Community Impact. The Texas Legislature wrapped up its fourth special session Dec. 5 without passing legislation that would provide raises for public school teachers and more money for school safety.
SISD leaders are hoping to get needed funding relief in the 89th legislative session—which begins Jan. 14, 2025—Hinojosa said.
“This March primary is going to be really important for us [to] get to the next legislative session and work through that,” Hinojosa said.
In case you missed it
In June, trustees approved the use of federal funds to fill a projected $25.4 million funding gap in Spring ISD’s general fund for the fiscal year 2023-24 budget. The district used ESSER monies with a remaining $3.1 million gap.
As previously reported by Community Impact, the general fund for SISD’s FY 2022-23 budget included a funding gap of about $35.4 million when adopted in June 2022.
Hannah Norton contributed to this report.
