Klein ISD considers 4-cent property tax decrease

The proposed budget estimates a 12 percent increase in taxable values in Klein ISD up to $15.6 billion, Petrek said. The local tax revenues would increase $17.2 million in the general fund and $350,000 in the debt service fund. The district will receive an additional $11.2 million from the state due to student growth and legislation, he said.

Enrollment is estimated to increase 1,400 students this school year to about 49,700 students, Petrek said. The budget estimates the addition of about 187 new positions worth about $10.32 million this school year, while the 5 percent pay increase for all staff approved at the previous board meeting costs $13.2 million.

Petrek said the proposed budget provides a surplus of about $700,000, pushing the district's estimated fund balance to $119.8 million. The proposed debt service fund will see a deficit of $500,000, increasing the fund balance to $21.6 million.

The board praised the budget and the work done by the financial services department. Trustee Georgan Reitmeier said she was pleased with the consistent management of the district's budget over the years, surviving the economic recession in 2008 and 2009 to get to a budget where they could feasibly lower the tax rate.

"I want to thank our teachers and principals," Cain said. "Because with the way they go about their business, they're a huge part of making all of this work in terms of being efficient and effective."