HISD’s board of trustees began the budget cutting process on Thursday in anticipation of cuts to public education funding in the Legislature. Barring some really good news from the Lege, there will be much more of this to come.
The largest cut made Thursday — a $58 million decision – reduces per-student funding about 8 percent to roughly $3,260 per student for the 2011-12 academic year. Principals will have to decide how to make up for the $275-per-student cut. Options include firing teachers and cutting programs.
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Depending on what happens on the state level, HISD can consider further cuts, dip into savings or raise taxes, said chief financial officer Melinda Garrett. Trustees vowed to return money to the classroom if the state forecast improves.
Also approved Thursday were a $2.4 million reduction to the district’s small-school subsidy, a $4.6 million cut to funding at a handful of other campuses, and a $2.3 million cut to the teacher incentive pay program.
Board members also agreed to move forward with the possible closures and consolidations of Grimes, Love, McDade and Rhoads elementary schools. If the campuses are closed, the district would save about $1.7 million.
Another $45 million in savings – including eliminating 260 central office jobs – has been identified and will be discussed March 24.
See Ericka Mellon’s liveblog of the meeting and Superintendent Grier’s letter to employees about the cuts for more. Remember that the scenario that the Board is currently planning for is one they have termed “optimistic” – the worst case scenario is “catastrophic”. The rally to save Texas schools is today, but the fight will continue on long after the last marcher goes home. Hair Balls has more.