HISD’s revenue each year comes from several sources, but state funding—which is tied to enrollment—is a major factor in future planning.
THE FUNDING PUZZLE
A W I D E N I N G G A P
State funding: Calculated under a complex system that typically sees state funding allocations fall and rise alongside a district’s weighted average daily enrollment T y p i c a l s o u r c e s
Federal funding: Includes the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief program, a temporary injection during the coronavirus pandemic O t h e r s o u r c e s
Property taxes: The largest source of revenue, but
Bond elections: An opportunity to raise voter- approved funds for speci c purposes that must be repaid over the lifetime, typically through tax revenue
also subject to recapture, by which the state takes revenue increases from property-rich districts and redistributes it
A l o c a l l o o k
ENROLLMENT LOSSES Houston ISD leaders said increasing student enrollment is the main way the district can control its own fate when it comes to maintaining revenue levels.
Enrollment has been on the decline at most elementary schools in the Bellaire, Meyerland and West University Place area.
The strategic plan was pitched in Houston ISD as the district faces a worsening budget de cit.
School
2018-19
2020-21 Change
De cit Surplus
Revenue
Expenditures
-5.8% -6.2% -0.7% -6.6% +11.7% -9.7% -7.4% -1.8% -10.4% +1.5% -9% -20.4% -17.6%
Condit Elrod Herod Horn Kolter Longfellow
727 716 813 754 726 670 634 870 776 610 689 481 580 859 1,141
772 763 819 807 650 742 685 886 866 601 757
*PROJECTED
250K
-9.1%
2017-18
-$89M
200K
2018-19
+$206M
213,528
209,309
194,607
209,040
2019-20
Lovett Parker
+$149M
150K
196,943
194,113
2020-21
+$29M
Poe Red Roberts
100K
2021-22*
-$69M
Shearn Tinsley Twain West University
604 704 875 1,283
2022-23*
-$195M
50K
$0
$0.5B
$1B
$1.5B
$2B
$2.5B
-1.8% -11.1%
0
SOURCE: HOUSTON ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
*Projected
The most important step for healthy trees is proper placement in your yard. A certified arborist is the best resource to ensure your trees start and remain healthy for life. April - Tip of the Month Scan for more tips Firmly Rooted in the Houston Area for 25 Years The announced freeze came as a sur- prise to some parents and members of the board of trustees, whom in public comments and in interviews with Com- munity Impact Newspaper said they understand the need to act boldly but are concerned things are starting o on the wrong foot. “How it was shared shocked and sur- prised people,” said Anu Hiremaglur, a parent of a Pin Oak Middle School stu- dent. “I don’t think that’s the best way to get parent buy-in.” Meanwhile, more details about the
district roughly $100 million in the 2021-22 school year, which House said will now be subject to stronger vet- ting measures for how it can be spent. Departments and school principals will have the ability to make requests that will be reviewed for approval. The campus-based freeze a ected 75% of each school’s unspent general funds, though it did not a ect critical funds such as payroll and special edu- cation funding. HISD o cials said the intention is to prevent money being spent for the sake of it, and the district
strategic plan have been released as well, including a proposed compen- sation plan to boost employee sala- ries through the 2024-25 school year. Another proposal would shift funding from being campus-based to being centrally funded for a variety of mate- rials and services, including ne arts, athletics, and career and technical edu-
CONTINUED FROM 1
remainder of scal year 2021-22, which runs through June 30. House said the freezes are neces- sary as HISD attempts to deal with what he called “a structural budget de cit that will continue to grow if left unchecked.” “We’re going to act aggressively ... to address our nancial challenges and be transparent about the hard choices that need to be made to get us through,” House said at the March 3 meeting.
cation, among others. Budgetary reckoning
The budget freezes and reductions announced March 3 will save the
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COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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