News release courtesy of College Station ISD. Listen to WTAW Wednesday for comments from the board workshop.
2015-16 Budget: The Board of Trustees continued discussing the 2015-16 budget. Administrators reviewed the amended budget assumptions that were used for this budget run. Revenue projections were conservatively based on a 4% enrollment increase and a 8% property value increase. Appropriations projections have included a 2.0% salary increase for all employees and increased health insurance contributions.
The statewide school funding cuts in 2011 reduced the district’s available revenue approximately $7 million per year. CSISD has addressed the shortfall with a combination of budget reductions and the adoption of annual deficit budgets. Each year, the deficit has been supplemented with the district’s fund balance, or savings account, and each year the actual year-end deficit has been lower than adopted.
For the 2014-15 school year, CSISD adopted a $3.03 million-deficit. Current projections show an actual deficit of approximately $2.9 million for the 2014-15 fiscal year.
The state budget from the 2015 legislative session added $1.5 billion to state wide public school funding in the upcoming biennium. There are some discrepancies in the state funding models, which should be cleared up by the August board meeting.
The CSISD Board of Trustees will adopt a budget and tax rate at the August 2015 meeting.
Discussion of 2015 Planning for Growth Committee Recommendations: The CSISD Board of Trustees continued discussion regarding the Planning for Growth Committee’s recommendation regarding a possible bond election for November 2015.
CSISD administration continues to work with VLK Architects, Pepper-Lawson Construction and the district’s financial advisors. to review cost projections and funding options related to the potential bond package.
The following are a list of projects recommended by the planning for growth committee and the most updated costs associated with each project. These projects will continue to be developed over the course of the next month to most accurately estimate the cost. Currently, the total recommended bond package is estimated to cost $138.4 million.
Intermediate School No. 3……………………………………………………..$40.53 million
Middle School No. 3…………………………………………………………….$52.31 million
Elementary School No. 10……………………………………………………..$24.22 million
Flexible Instructional spaces at current intermediate and middle schools…$1.14 million
A&M Consolidated MS locker rooms…………………………………………..$1.13 million
Cypress Grove Restroom additions…………………………………………….$0.56 million
Oakwood Entrance upgrade…………………………………………………….$0.76 million
Buses………………………………………………………………………………$1.6 million
Technology………………………………………………………………………..$5.5 million
Deferred Maintenance……………………………………………………………$5.2 million
Land Acquisition…………………………………………………………………..$5.4 million
Total……………………………………………………………………………..$138.4 million
In order to hold a bond election in November 2015, the board must decide what to include in the bond package and call the election by August 24, 2015.
Special workshop scheduled: The board scheduled a special workshop to continue discussion of the budget and potential November 2015 bond. The meeting is tentatively set for 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4.
REGULAR MEETING
Ramirez Named Director of Special Programs: Dr. Marla Ramirez was named Director of Special Programs to primarily oversee CSISD’s gifted and talented, dual language, ESL and AVID programs. Ramirez has been with CSISD since 2008, serving stints as assistant principal at South Knoll Elementary and Oakwood Intermediate.
Other Administrative Hires: The board also approved the following CSISD administrative hires.
• Andrew Marcus – A&M Consolidated High School Assistant Principal
• Holly Scott – A&M Consolidated Middle School Assistant Principal
• Kim Foster Rodgers – College Station High School Assistant Principal
• Richard Grande – Oakwood Intermediate School Assistant Principal
• Kyle Whileyman – Pebble Creek Elementary School Assistant Principal
Employee Salaries and Benefits for 2015-16: The board approved a 2% salary increase for CSISD employees. The district will continue to explore options to increase employer contribution toward health insurance premiums.
The 2.0% salary increase is an effective pay increase of 1.5% due to state law requiring employees to contribute 0.5% more to the Teacher Retirement System. Passed in 2013, Senate Bill 1458 requires employee contribution be raised from the current 6.7% to 7.2% in 2015-16 and 7.7% in 2016-17.
Since the unprecedented state budget reductions in the 2011 legislative session, CSISD employees have seen modest pay and insurance contribution increases.
• 2010-11: 1.0% salary increase
• 2011-12: No salary increase, $38/month increase in employer contribution to insurance premiums
• 2012-13: 1.5% salary increase
• 2013-14: 4.0% salary increase
• 2014-15: 1.8% salary increase
• 2015-16: 2.0% salary increase, employer insurance contribution TBD
Superintendent Contract: The CSISD Board approved a 2% raise and added an additional year to Superintendent Dr. Clark Ealy’s contract. The action increases the superintendent’s salary to $198,900 and extends the terms of the contract to June 30, 2018.