AISD adopts $1.6B budget

Monday night, the board of trustees of the Austin Independent School District adopted a $1.6 billion budget. “Austin ISD will continue to prepare students for college, career and life as we enhance school security and reinforce key academic programs to encourage student success,” said Superintendent Paul Cruz in a press release announcing the new budget. “I am proud to work with our board of trustees and staff to adopt a fiscally responsible budget that will further our goal to reinvent the urban school experience.” Priorities within this year’s budget include safety and security investments, a 1.5 percent salary increase for all employees and “support for academic reinvention projects aimed at bringing innovative programs to students.” The Austin American-Statesman reported that this year the district’s state recapture payment is expected to total about $670 million, and the budget could require as much as a $29 million dip into the district’s reserves. “Austin ISD remains committed to serving the students, staff and community despite the array of budgetary constraints we face due to rising inflationary costs beyond our control, revenue losses, and the budget pressures mounting from our ballooning recapture payments,” said Nicole Conley Johnson, chief business and operations officer for the district. “As our legislators convene this winter, we will continue our efforts in encouraging them to implement solutions to fix the school finance system so this can become one of our last years we are required to pass a deficit budget. Nevertheless, we will do what is needed to serve as the cornerstone of our community and provide the necessary educational services to our AISD students and families.”