Early budget projections through 2015-16 for the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District show a slight decrease in enrollment and a dwindling fund balance.
The district board of trustees got a look at the numbers at its Dec. 17 meeting where early budget parameters were presented by DaiAnn Mooney, the district's chief financial officer.
The parameters — which still must be approved by the board — are:
An estimated enrollment of 13,232, which is 154 fewer students than in 2012-13 — Mooney said kindergarten enrollments are smaller than the number of seniors leaving the district.
An increase in taxable values in the district of .5 percent — a document prepared for the board by staff says the district will monitor the effect of the American Airlines bankruptcy on values.
No employee cost-of-living increase
An increase of 1.1 percent to account for inflation on non-payroll costs.
No change to department or campus allocations
The Maintenance and Operations tax rate remaining at $1.04.
Staff members told the board that even if state funding for education improves, the district might not benefit until the 2014-15 or 2015-16 school years.
Under the parameters presented, which the board still has to approve, the ending fund balance is projected drop to $21 million by 2015-16. By comparison, the actual ending fund balance for 2011-12 was $53.3 million.