EDUCATION BRIEFS
News from Austin & Dripping Springs ISDs
HIGHLIGHTS AUSTIN ISD After a payroll processing error made by Austin ISD, some teachers are being forced to pay back a $2,000 stipend payment they received on their June 30 paychecks. The district sent teachers an email July 1 explaining the situation. According to the email sent by Brandi Hosack, AISD chief human capital officer, a processing error led to teachers being mistakenly paid a stipend that was intended only for newly hired bilingual, special education, career and technical education, math, and science teachers. The overpayment will be paid back to the district in either four monthly payments of $500 or one lump sum of $2,000. AUSTIN ISD The district is on track to install solar panels on 16 more schools thanks to a nearly $15 million federal grant. The U.S. Department of Energy will award Austin ISD the grant to help the district achieve its goal of having net-zero- emissions schools and increasing investment in disadvantaged communities within the district. AUSTIN ISD As temperatures in the Austin area remain high, Austin ISD officials are beginning to address the heating, ventilation and air conditioning problems with money from the $2.44 billion bond package passed in 2022. The first round of HVAC projects included in the 2022 bond package will begin this summer, specifically replacement projects that don’t require extensive permitting or engineering services, officials said. Austin ISD will meet Aug. 10 at 6 p.m. at 4000 S. I-35, Austin. www.austinisd.org Dripping Springs ISD will meet Aug. 21 at 6 p.m. at 300 Sportsplex Drive, Dripping Springs. www.dsisdtx.us MEETINGS WE COVER
Austin ISD passes largest budget shortfall in 6 years AUSTIN ISD Trustees approved a fiscal year 2023-24 budget with a projected $52.25 million shortfall during a board meeting June 22. The shortfall—the largest approved since the 2017-18 school year—was approved to fund raises. BY AMANDA CUTSHALL for the district—ideally an increase in basic allotments. The basic allotment is the amount of money a district can keep per student. PAY INCREASES Austin ISD approved a projected $52.25 million shortfall for the 2023-24 academic year to finance raises. The plan includes:
In case you missed it: Trustees approved a “historic” pay raise at a May 18 meeting, raising salaries for teachers and staff throughout the district. As a result, the district will spend about $53 million of its reserve funds to achieve the raise. The compensation package will begin in the fall semester. The breakdown: The district’s $2.1 billion budget is determined based on enrollment numbers, daily attendance and taxes. Ramos said he anticipates an enrollment of 73,681 students with an average daily attendance rate of 92%.
$4 -per-hour raises for all classified employees 7% raises for teachers, librarians, counselors, instructional coaches and special education-related positions 5% raises for administrative professionals 3% increase for executive directors and above Above-market-level pay adjustments for licensed specialists in school psychology and educational diagnosticians $7,000 stipends for bilingual and special education staff
What’s happening: After grappling with alternative solutions to reduce the shortfall since Chief Financial Officer Eduardo Ramos’ budget presentation June 2, trustees made the decision to move forward in adopting the proposed budget with an adjustment to add $500,000 to add six athletic trainers to the district. Trustees also decided to circle back early this fall to approve an amended budget with the hope the state will approve more money
SOURCE: AUSTIN ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
DSISD to fund staff raises, double school resource officers DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD Trust- ees approved a fiscal year 2023-24 budget with 61% dedicated to payroll, totaling a $122.8 million general fund budget. BY ELLE BENT BREAKING DOWN THE BUDGET Dripping Springs ISD passed a $122.8 million general fund budget for 2023-24 school year. It includes: Utilities 2% Supplies/materials Other 2% 4% Contracted services 4% Payroll 61% 27% State recapture Total: $122.8M
SOURCE: DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
What you may have missed: On May 22, trustees approved a 3% pay increase for teachers and staff for the 2023-24 year. Additionally, the board voted to nearly double the amount of school resource officers, or SROs, to campuses. The majority of the budget is for payroll, Deputy Superintendent
Elaine Cogburn said.
• Increase in employer health care contributions to $330 per month • Child nutrition services pay of $18 per hour • Custodial pay of $16 per hour • Addition of 36 full-time employees • Seven SROs across campuses
The breakdown: The general fund expenditures include: • 3% salary increase for all staff • Bus driver pay of $30 per hour • Bus monitor pay of $16 per hour
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