Despite enormous budget support hiring one employee for every 5.71 new students in 2009/10 HCISD missed the federal standard for adequate yearly progress for 2011. No matter. We gave across the board raises in this economy of 4-7%. We will not have enough money coming in so to support all of this so they will consume $2.3 million out of prior surpluses. History tells us HCISD’s representations are often self-serving and deceiving.
Nobody in their right mind would give raises they could not afford. Right? So the spin is we’re in the black (on the Maintenance and Operations side of the budget) even with the raises – that’s how you buy support from the staff and make it appear being responsible to the taxpayer.
But, put another way, across all funds, this year the school district will spend $1.1 million more than it takes in. Sound familiar? They are preparing us: They “may” have to raise the tax rate in the future if property values do not “recover.” Waste is abundant but they don’t want to look past a business as usual future taxpayer bailout.
(Former superintendent) Kirk London said: “I don’t know why anybody would be against these bonds [2008 bonds]. There is no tax rate increase.” Running up to the bond election, they never disclosed their assumptions were based on even more property value increases. They never said their assumptions were based on balloon payments, paying interest only on the bonds for 22 years. The short term interest of the “fat cats” overrode the future wellbeing of us all. We’re learning all of this after the fact.
Accountability has ceased to exist. Administrators easily discount counter points of view with in-school early voting and architect and developer-funded get-out-the-school-parent-vote messaging. They surround themselves with likeminded people to protect their vested interest. It is not about education – at all.
Superintendents making well over $1,000/day can’t relate to taxpayers and can achieve only fleeting non-sustainable short term success. That’s why they never stay anywhere too long. This system has crowded out what is best for STUDENTS. A reckoning is coming.
Bryce Bales
Manchaca
