Last March, I used this column to inform the Leander Independent School District community about the realities of the tough financial situation that face Texas public schools. Confronted with a frozen per pupil rate and no additional sources for revenue in sight except that generated by new students, districts including LISD are having to reduce their budgets accordingly.
In order stay within the limits of our budget, I mentioned last spring that our district would be taking a hard look at spending, making tough decisions to ensure our schools are financially sustainable and continuing to assure we are doing right and good by our students and constituents. And so, with that in mind, I want to update you on the status of LISD’s budget and the recent measures the district has taken to keep its finances healthy.
First, I want praise the LISD budget office. Believe me when I say that theirs is no simple task. They’ve worked hard to ensure we are able to maintain the integrity of our programs, avoid cutting staff and provide a high quality education for all students. They have done an excellent job.
With a proposed budget for the 2010-11 school year of $235 million, LISD will be reducing our spending levels per student to $7,292—more than $100 less per student than last year. Funds were only added to account for student growth, and because LISD continues to be a district of choice for many families who are moving to our area, we are expecting another 2,000 students to enroll next year. To accommodate our growth while being mindful of the expenses associated with opening a new school, the district has delayed the construction of previously scheduled elementary schools, and for the first time in many years, will open only one new school this fall, Four Points Middle School.
Eighty-six percent of our budget is payroll, and so we are continuing to look at every area of our operations to see where cuts can be made that have the least impact on our students. Last spring, under the guidance of our business office, LISD campuses and departments were asked to make cuts of at least five percent to their operating budgets. Some departments cut up to 10 percent. To avoid layoffs, some employees were repositioned or reassigned. At the administrative level, we are continuing to review vacant positions and determining how we can streamline those duties into other areas in order to keep costs down.
While we are forced to consider cuts, it is also crucial LISD remain competitive with surrounding districts so that we may continue to hire talented and skilled teachers and staff and not compromise student learning. An independent third party determined that, in order to ensure that LISD teacher salaries remained competitive in the local market, an average increase of roughly 1.7 percent was included in this year’s budget, as was a raise for all LISD employees.
Still, we all are very cognizant to avoid extra expenses whenever possible. Campuses and departments are continuing to look at cost-saving strategies, thinking outside the box and applying for grants when they are available. Even small savings can impact the big picture as monies not spent can roll into our fund balance at the end of the year, which in turn can positively impact our bond ratings, saving taxpayers money on interest paid. This process is ongoing, and the district still has an e-mail account available (budget@leanderisd.org) where suggestions may be submitted.
Our board of trustees has continued on a path of good stewardship to ensure that we remain financially sustainable for the long term. In fact, LISD was refunded on some bonds recently sold which saved taxpayers more than $11 million dollars over the life of the bonds. We have also continued to deposit into our major maintenance fund, allowing existing facilities to receive continued scheduled maintenance procedures. Being able do so highlights the district’s commitment to preserving our resources.
LISD, like other districts across Texas, is in a tough financial situation. But through these and other measures, along with our strong leadership, I am confident that we will come through this stronger and better than ever.