Pflugerville ISD approves budget, tax rate

The Pflugerville ISD board of trustees approved a budget Aug. 15 for the upcoming school year that will allow the district to fund new teacher positions and wage increases.

The board members voted unanimously in favor of the budget, which will utilize $1 million from the district's unreserved general fund to offset some of the additional expenses. The board also approved keeping the district's property tax rate even with the current year's rate at $1.54 per $100 of valuation.

Board President Elva Gladney said the trustees felt comfortable utilizing money from the district's fund balance because of the large amount of savings the district has accumulated. PISD will carry 57 days' worth of operating revenue in its fund balance, according to an Aug. 15 district news release. The state recommends school districts maintain 45–60 days' worth of operating revenue in their unreserved fund balances.

"I think it is important for our community and parents to understand that we are making a conscious, purposeful decision to use the fund balance for very specific reasons," Gladney said. "This targeted spending will make a difference for our students and teachers and help our district live up to our promise to ensure every student has access to the resources they need to succeed."

The budget is intended to allow the district to hire as many as 18 new middle school and high school teachers, special education and intervention specialists and the staffing needed for the district's newest school, Cele Middle School. The district will also implement a $500 pay raise for teachers and a 1 percent average pay raise for non-teaching staff. The district will also provide employees with a $30 stipend for the 2013–14 school year to offset an expected increase in health insurance rates.

"It is our intention not to be hoarding our taxpayer dollars at the expense of our services," trustee Carol Fletcher said.

With the district's budget and tax rates set, trustees can now turn their attention toward the hiring of the district's next superintendent. The board is scheduled to interview candidates Aug. 15 and 16 and could have a final candidate announced for the position within the next two weeks.