Spring ISD Board of Trustees Approves $455.3 Million District Budget for 2023-24
The Spring Independent School District Board of Trustees adopted a $455.3 million 2023-2024 budget during a special called session Tuesday, greatly reducing a projected deficit in the light of expiring federal funding and no action by the state Legislature on the basic allotment for schools.
The overall operating budget includes approximately $344.8 million in general fund expenditures, $33.9 million in child nutrition expenditures, and $76.6 million in debt service expenditures. Despite strategic cost reductions totaling more than $9.2 million, the budget also includes a deficit of $3.1 million after taking into account the final round of federal ESSER funding – originally approved by Congress to support schools during the pandemic. Without the ESSER funds, the 2023-24 budget deficit would be approximately $25.4 million.
The Texas Legislature has not increased the basic allotment Texas schools receive per student. The current allotment is $6,160 per student, which has not been adjusted for inflation. Bills that were proposed this session that would have increased funding for schools failed, as well as bills that would have increased teacher pay.
Following pay increases and other equity adjustments made in recent years to better align Spring ISD staff salaries with those of surrounding districts across the region, earlier this month trustees also approved one-time loyalty incentive payments for returning staff, including teacher payments that will vary based on years of experience. In addition, employees will have access to two personal wellness days in addition to existing local and state leave allotments.
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$3,000 for classroom teachers with 10+ years of experience*
- $2,500 for classroom teachers with 5-9 years of experience*
- $2,000 for classroom teachers with 0-4 years experience* and all other staff
*Includes 2022-2023 year of service
"I'd like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Board for their commitment in approving next year’s school budget,” Superintendent Dr. Lupita Hinojosa said. “This decision not only underscores our dedication to the welfare of our staff, but also illustrates our joint effort to uphold fiscal responsibility. Together, we are creating an educational environment that is sustainable, supportive and meets the needs of every student."
The approved budget also incorporates funding provided through the new House Bill 3 (HB3), passed by the 88th Texas Legislature earlier this summer. The bill sets several standards for Texas districts to comply with – including mental health training for staff members who regularly interact with students, as well as increased security on campuses during school hours – and provides some funding toward accomplishing those requirements. Funding allotted through HB3 will allow Spring ISD to add nine additional officers to its police department; in a separate decision, the board approved an increase in starting annual pay for new district police officers, which will now be set at $60,000.
With a projected enrollment for the upcoming school year of 34,265 students – representing a small increase over 2022-23 – trustees emphasized the district’s commitment to maintaining the strength of its ongoing operations and continuing to support schools of choice and specialty programs that are an important part of Spring ISD’s mission to offer a quality education that meets the needs of every student. However, they also noted the fact that the district faces upcoming challenges and larger budget shortfalls – especially after the phase-out of federal ESSER funding in 2024 – and is already making preparations for tighter budgets moving into the 2024-25 school year.
The Spring ISD Finance Department worked in collaboration with campus leaders and a cross-functional district team to identify potential budget cuts and areas for improved operational efficiency, working toward the needed targets ahead of the 2024-25 school year.
The district’s total proposed tax rate for 2023 is $1.1833 per $100 valuation, down from last year’s rate of $ 1.2546. The rate is based on a combined $0.7833 Maintenance and Operations tax rate and $0.40 Interest and Sinking tax rate, used to pay the debt service requirements on outstanding bonds. State law requires school districts to adopt a budget by June 30, although tax rates are not formally approved until later in the year.
Among the major topics of discussion during this year’s budget development cycle was the upcoming “ESSER Cliff” coming in mid-2024, when federal support for school districts provided during the pandemic will be phased out. Due to inflation and rising costs, enrollment declines, lower average daily attendance numbers, and compensation increases approved in previous years to bolster pay equity, Spring ISD Chief of Finance Ann Westbrooks noted that the district expects to face a $25.4 million budget deficit in 2024-25.
Steps are already being considered to address the deficit and bring costs down – including the more than $9.2 million in cost reductions made in the newly approved budget for 2023-24 – and that work will be ongoing, Westbrooks said.
Source: Spring ISD
