by KIM HILSENBECK
Amid an ongoing shortfall in state funding for education, Hays CISD has presented a budget for the 2012-13 school year that does not call for any tax increases, staff reductions, program cuts or larger student-teacher ratios.
The proposed $117.1 million budget reflects a $2.6 million increase from the 2011-12 school year.
Other proposed budget items include pay increases for all employees, an increase in the district’s contribution to employee health insurance, adding to the district’s fund balance reserves, and adding positions to accommodate student enrollment and other needs.
“We’re proud of our budget proposal, particularly given the education funding crisis facing the entire state,” said district superintendent Jeremy Lyon in a written statement. “As districts across Texas continue to cut employees and programs and struggle to operate with fewer financial resources, Hays CISD is able to move forward strongly and confidently.”
The proposed budget keeps in place all after-school transportation, fine arts programs, clubs and extracurricular programs. It also expands middle school science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curriculum into seventh grade.
Hays CISD will create new pre-kindergarten classrooms at Blanco Vista and Camino Real elementary schools. The proposal also includes a small budget to continue the district-wide student and staff health and wellness initiative.
The Hays CISD Board of Trustees will adopt the final budget in August.
