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We have waited as long as possible to share a very difficult message about what will happen in Spring Branch ISD beginning with the 2024-25 school year if the Legislature fails to increase the Basic Allotment by at least $1,000/student. However, we can’t wait any longer, as our elected officials have made it clear they neither value nor care about public education, or the students, families and communities we serve. Their proposed increase to the Basic Allotment is currently $50/student – far short of the $900 recommended by the Comptroller just to make up for inflationary impacts on districts since 2019. We find this insulting, and so should you.
SBISD administration, trustees, parents and community members have met tirelessly with lawmakers for months, alerting them of the potentially dire financial impact on SBISD if the Basic Allotment is not raised by $1,000. The proposed legislation sends the message that our efforts have not been taken seriously.
The state has the largest budget surplus in its history ($33 billion). SBISD supports property tax relief. However, our legislators are prioritizing property tax relief ($17 billion proposed) over public schools ($5 billion proposed). Without the needed funding – public school districts like SBISD are being set up to fail.
As a reminder, $10 billion of the state’s surplus is recaptured local taxpayer dollars from 160 school districts, including SBISD, and $8 billion has been reallocated away from public education to the state’s general fund. These funds intended for public education should stay in public education.
DISASTEROUS BUDGET CUTS ON THE HORIZON – HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!
If the Legislature does not raise the Basic Allotment by at least $1,000, beginning in 2024-2025, there will be significant cuts to all services in SBISD, including, but not limited to programming, educational experiences, and most importantly, safety and security.
Here are the types of changes and cuts our Board of Trustees will be forced to consider:
- Combine schools/change boundaries
- Change staffing models, including class sizes
- Eliminate 10-20% of SBISD staff
- Remove the 20% local optional homestead exemption
- Discontinue the block schedule model for Stratford High School
- Reduce programming and/or institute pay-to-play models for athletics, performing and visual arts
- Discontinue choice and specialized programs
- Cut safety and security, counseling and mental health services
- Cut centralized instructional supports, including but not limited to, interventions, Dyslexia services, and college and career counseling
- Cut business and operations functions that support the district’s safety, security and fiscal management
- Raise the tax rate
We do not want to consider these drastic measures, but if the Legislature does not raise the Basic Allotment by at least $1,000, we will have no choice.
Our Board of Trustees will discuss budget and legislative updates at their Spring Retreat, this Friday, April 14, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Attend the meeting at the Technology Training Center or watch via livestream.
It’s not too late – ADVOCATE TODAY.
Reach out to our Legislative Delegation, and the Senate and House Education Committees and Appropriations Committees and the Governor and Lt. Governor. Let them know SBISD needs at least $1,000 added to the Basic Allotment to avoid severe cuts that will decimate our school district.
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