Superintendent, School Board Discuss Low 2012-2013 Reduction Deficit

Superintendent Dr. Deirdre Wells presented an early look at Independent School District 199’s budget for the 2012-2013 school year at a school board work session on Tuesday evening.

The district’s reduction target for 2012-2013 is $472,011. ISD 199 has an expenditure reduction of $317,352 as a result of hiring staff, with a remaining reduction of $154,659.

The reduction target is determined by reviewing enrollment projections, fiscal projections and various programs.

The 2012-2013 reduction deficit is the lowest the district has seen in years, according to Wells.

“We’ve done such a good job managing our finances,” said board member Bridget Sutton. “I’m very optimistic.”

During the past several years, the district has made $6 million in reductions, according to Wells. 70 percent of district funds are spent in the classroom, said Sutton. However, ISD 199 now faces the challenge of making small budget reductions add up without resorting to staff cuts.

“There isn’t a lot left in there that isn’t essential to our district,” said Wells.

Wells will meet with district administrators on Thursday to begin budgetary discussions for the coming year.

In her presentation, Wells also touched on the district’s educational priorities for the 2012-2013 school year. The superintendent stressed the importance of a learning environment that is safe, encourages growth and educates students to meet the necessary targets.

Early literacy programming was discussed as a particularly high priority for the district. By investing in a literacy specialist, Wells hopes to address the district’s increasing diversity while producing students who are literate by the third grade.

Wells also cited AVID, a program designed to prepare students in the academic middle for college, as a high priority. Other areas of importance for the district include career-to-college initiatives, internet safety and bullying and harassment instruction.