North - Northwest Austin Edition | March 2024

Education

BY ELLE BENT & BROOKE SJOBERG

AISD officials working around budget deficit As Austin ISD officials plan for the fiscal year 2024-25, district officials are working amid a projected budget shortfall. Current situation Superintendent Matias Segura said that because the basic student allotment—the amount school districts receive from the state based on student enrollment and attendance—did not increase this year and hasn’t since 2019, cuts would have to be made alongside any proposed budget increases for fiscal year 2024-25. The basic allotment is currently at $6,160. AISD officials say current enrollment is at 72,800, with a 92% attendance rate. Going forward with budget planning district officials will keep the following in mind: • Lowering the 20% fund balance would be “risky” due to decreasing enrollment

RRISD, ACC form free degree partnership Starting this fall, Round Rock ISD students will be able to pursue associate degrees free of charge through a new part- nership with Austin Community College. What you need to know The partnership announced Feb. 23 allows RRISD high school students to combine courses taken through the district with those offered at ACC to earn the 42 core credits comprising an associate degree. This pathway to a degree will include the following courses, according to the district: • Advanced Placement • International Baccalaureate • OnRamps • Dual credit and ACC courses

The district is working to lessen the deficit through the following: Decreasing the deficit Vacancy savings, or costs saved by a staff position that is not filled

Managing overtime expenses Monitoring contract expenses Interest earnings

SOURCE: AUSTIN ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

• Adopting a shortfall greater than $30 million would put the district at risk of going below the fund balance in FY 2026-27, but decreasing the projected shortfall to $25 million or less would require multiple budget cuts What’s next? This spring, district officials will propose investments and potential cuts, such as staff, for the FY 2024-25 budget as it is being drafted. The AISD board of trustees will vote on the budget in June.

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