The Herald Banner (Greenville, TX) - GISD facing $500,000 Budget Deficit

By CAROL FERGUSON Herald-Banner Staff

GREENVILLE — Despite more than $1 million in budget cuts, the Greenville Independent School District is facing a budget deficit of approximately $500,000 for the 2010-11 fiscal year.

The Greenville ISD Board of Trustees conducted a workshop Tuesday afternoon, during which time the district’s chief financial officer, David Carter, gave a presentation regarding the 2010-11 budget.

Carter informed the board of the district’s 2010-11 budget goals, which include a balanced budget, reducing costs as far away from classrooms and students as possible, the continual review of staffing levels and the implementation of the strategic action plans approved by the board earlier this year.

“We are trying to cut as far away from kids and succesful programs as possible,” said Superintendent Don Jefferies.

Administrators are proposing an unchanged Maintenance and Operations (M&O) tax rate of $1.04 per $100 valuation, in addition to an Interest and Sinking (I&S) tax rate of $0.1548 per $100 valuation. The I&S is an increase of approximately $0.01 from the 2009-10 rate due to a decreased tax collection percentage.

The budget also factors in a state mandated pay increase for teachers and a proposed three percent pay increase for some administrators and all support staff, which includes aides, maintenance workers, bus drivers and custodial staff.

Without factoring in the pay increases for employees, the district is projected to have revenues of $32,720,561 and expenditures of $33,020,833 — equating to a deficit of approximately $300,272.Carter and Jefferies also detailed more than $1 million in budget cuts to reduce the deficit.

Budget cuts totaling $1,015,666 include: Re-locating Travis Elementary to the Sixth Grade Center, a five percent decrease in campus budgets, re-aligned central office and transportation staff and the attrition of vacant positions.

“We are trying to be as lean as we can with as good of people as we can get,” said Jefferies.

Trustee Anne Haynes, who presided over the meeting in the absence of Board President Charles Sivley, said the proposed 2010-11 budget was the leanest she has seen since serving on the board.

“It is one of the leanest budgets that accomplishes the most.

However, Haynes said the board would eventually have to consider a tax ratification election.

The district is expected to receive the certified tax roll from the Hunt County Appraisal District on July 25.

The next budget workshop is scheduled for July 27, during which time the board is expected to set the date for the public hearing regarding the budget and tax rate. Administrators have recommended that the public hearing and adoption of the budget and tax rate take place on Aug. 17.