• Budget Cut
     
    EMS ISD Financial Overview 
    June 2013
    In 2011, during the 82nd legislative session, the Texas legislature cut public education funding by $5.4 billion. Due to this reduction, funding for EMS ISD was cut by $8.5 million in the 2011-12 school year and by $2.5 million for 2012-13. The result is that we receive $371 less for each student than we received during the 2005-06 school year. 
     
    In our budget planning for 2013-2014, we were compelled to further reduce our expenses by $5 million. The District balanced its budget through a process of budget reductions and enhancements. Click here to read detailed information about the reductions.
     
    The 83rd legislative session restored approximately 66% of the funding for school districts that was cut in the 82nd legislative session. However due to funding formulas, only 20% of the funding that was cut for EMS ISD will be restored. Additionally, we will lose another $14 million in the 2017-18 school year. We are projected to gain approximately 500 students per year and the cost of operating our schools continues to rise. In addition, we will need to build additional facilities to accommodate the growth of our district. 

    To plan for this financial impact, in September of 2012, the Board voted to declare financial exigency as well as to explore further budget reductions and opportunities for revenue enhancements. A comprehensive budget forecast was created through 2018 (click here to download). This plan has been the guiding force for the district as we budget for the future. The plan includes additional reductions and includes the additional income that could be generated through raising the Maintenance and Operations tax rate through a Tax Ratification Election.

    Budget Reductions Since 2011 
    Reductions for the 2013-2014 School Year
    • Increased student-teacher ratios

    • Reduction in Force: Elimination of 34 positions including library aides, the principal at the Hollenstein Career and Technology Center, and the Executive Director for Program Assessment and Evaluation

    • Elimination of 7th grade AVID classes

    • Lowered custodial expenses by 3%

    • Reduction in electrical expenses by changing air start times and eliminating campus overrides.
    Reductions for the 2012-2013 School Year
    • Increased student-teacher ratios
    • Suspending cost of living increases for EMS ISD employees since 2010, even though insurance premiums have increased by 16.07% since 2010
    • Reducing staff by 37 positions through normal resignations and retirements. We were compelled to do this even though our student population has grown by more than 800 students in the past two years and we opened Chisholm Trail, our third high school.

    • Changing our school hours to allow us to move to a three-tier bus system. This change reduces transportation expenses by $750,000 annually.

    • Reducing campus and departmental discretionary budgets by 15% for two years in a row

    • Reducing costs for supplies and utilities

    • Using our fund balance strategically to meet budget shortfalls

    • Raising the maintenance and operations (M&O) tax rate by $.05 since 2010

    Click here to download and read Dr. Chadwell's letter to the community about District finances through 2017.
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    General Mailbox
    What can you do?
     
    1. Stay informed about school finance and its effects on the EMS ISD community.
     
    2. Urge legislators to support our public schools by ensuring the proper financing of our school district.
     
    3. Be involved in the District and the community.
     
     
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    Moak Casey News Updates


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