Texas School Districts Facing Hard Decisions

As the state of Texas continues to tell its residents that the budget outlook looks even worst than expected, the school districts in the state are scrambling to decide what to do about their budget shortfalls. The school districts do not know how much money they will lose, but they are preparing for the worst.

The Fort Worth Star Telegram reported that the Fort Worth Independent School District is close to achieving their needed budget cuts for the upcoming school year. The board has identified about $19.6 million in cuts so far. They have about $11 million more to eliminate. They have not made the announcement of all of the cuts, but they have announced some things they will cut.

The board decided not to change the terminal-pay formula at this time. This is a bonus that district personnel get at retirement. If the employee qualifies at the time of their retirement they receive a lump sum based on salary, years of service and 183 contract days. School district officials say that changing the formula now could save the district about $21 million. The trustees want to see how this will affect retirement planning before acting on this.

They did vote to eliminate 207 pre-kindergarten teaching assistants which they say would save about $4.7 million. At the same time, they voted to keep about 12 supplemental math and science teaching positions which will cost about $1 million.

The Arlington Independent School District has proposed several ways to reduce their budget woes. This district has proposed dissolving their student affairs department which would save them $196,000. They would also dissolve the safe and drug-free schools/parent relations department saving the district $125,000. Reducing their monthly contribution to employee health insurance is another option they are looking into which would save them $1.2 million.

Arlington Independent School District is also looking into cutting personnel. They have suggested eliminating two kindergarten teaching assistants per elementary campus at a savings of $1.6 million. Eliminating convocation at the beginning of the school year would save them about $12,000.

Some options that have been tossed around throughout the state of Texas have been the consolidation of school districts. Texas has well over 1100 school districts.

They have suggested realignment of athletics so that the traveling expense could be modified. There has been the suggestion that the coaching staff in all schools be downsized. Some districts do not require that coaches teach and/or they teach a modified schedule.

School districts are deciding at this time what they can live without. They know they need to eliminate to save money, but they are unsure of what to eliminate.