President Skip Jenkins (pictured) and fellow members of the Plano ISD Board of Trustees heard an updated report about the school district’s 2011-12 budget planning process during their February 15 school board meeting.
The report, which was presented by Associate Superintendent for Business Services Richard Matkin, included an updated budget projection for 2011-2012, a budget planning calendar, information about AEIS (Academic Excellence Indicator System) revenue and expenditure and an update on the next biennium budget process.
Trustees are scheduled to continue budget discussions during work sessions and regular meetings this semester in preparation for adopting the 2011-12 school year budget in June, 2011.
Financial Exigency
Trustees declared that a financial exigency exists within the district on January 18 during a school board meeting at which they voted to approve a reduction in force (RIF). The action was taken by the board in response to the difficult economic climate and in anticipation of dramatic cuts in state funding.
“We simply have to make difficult choices as we know we will have less money to spend,” said School Board President Skip Jenkins. “These are tough decisions, but we simply have no choice in the financial realities we are facing in regard to state funding, and it is going to get worse.”
“As Plano ISD works hard to maintain the excellence in education that is signature to the district, we must also brace for significant programmatic reductions,” said Superintendent Dr. Doug Otto.
Initial steps in that direction resulted in reductions estimated at $1.4 million in administration and support services. This reduction is part of the district’s overall effort to reduce costs in order to achieve a balanced budget and to be better positioned for the challenges ahead.
Attaining financial stability through continued good stewardship of district funds, while encouraging state legislators to provide financial relief for schools, will remain a focus for Plano ISD.
Related Link
Plano ISD’s priorities for the 2011 Texas legislative session, currently underway in Austin, are published on the district’sAdvocacy for Plano ISD website.
