Frisco ISD To Consider Delaying Opening Of New Schools Freezing Salaries This Upcoming Budget Proces

Frisco ISD To Consider Delaying Opening Of New Schools Freezing Salaries This Upcoming Budget Proces

Frisco ISD’s nine-month budget process for the 2017-18 school year has begun, and the district is asking for input from the community.

The budget process begins on the heels of the Aug. 27 tax ratification election in which voters rejected a proposal to raise the district tax rate by 13 cents per $100 valuation.

District officials said the increase would have covered a $30 million shortfall the district is projected to face in the coming years.

Trustee Steve Noskin said this process will provide the transparency the community wants.

“I think part of the vote was not only a no to the tax increase but no to the fact that [the community doesn’t] really see what’s going on and [the voters] want to be aware of where and how the district is spending our money,” Noskin said. “I think if they were fully aware, a good portion of them would have probably justified the increase … this is the next step to remove that veil.”

Input will come from three groups—a steering committee, working group and a stakeholder committee—all of which have already been appointed by the administration or the board.

The steering committee is made up of FISD upper-level central administrators. The working group is made up of principals and department coordinators. The stakeholder committee is made up of community members and district employees.

Together these groups are working to conduct research on savings opportunities and will make recommendations to the district beginning of the next year.

The district will also develop a plan to address the shortfall by prioritizing savings this school year and the next two school years.   

The 2016-17 budget was not contingent upon the tax increase, and any deficit faced in this school year will be manageable for the district, FISD Chief Financial Officer Kimberly Pickens said.

The district will consider reducing staff travel and professional development, and will closely examine hiring decisions this year. The district will also dip into its fund balance as necessary to finish out the school year, Pickens said.

Author: Josiah Ford
Phone: 214-425-3525
Dated: October 17th 2016
Views: 835
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