Tyler School Trustees Receive Budget Update

TYLER — Tyler school board members got a budget update regarding planning for the 2011-2012 school district budget. School superintendent Dr. Randy Reid explained the current budget situation regarding state funding as well as the cuts in stimulus and grant funding. He explained that the current targeted reductions for Tyler ISD are $8 to $10 million and the district has a prioritized list of cuts as wells as worst case scenario contingencies.

Deputy Superintendent Cecil McDaniel explained the situation regarding the stimulus funding. He said the District has assessed staffing needs by campus and designed a reallocation plan for positions affected by stimulus funds, Title 1 and other funding sources. As it pertains to hiring, he said the District is looking at all vacancies on a case by case basis and currently making efforts to reassign people whose positions are no longer available as well as seeking ways to combine job responsibilities.

Executive Director of Financial Services Tosha Bjork discussed the current budget and shared reductions already identified, including Maintenance Tax Notes Payoff, New Electricity Contract Rates, 2010-11 ADA Growth, Reduction in Pay For Knowledge Offerings, and Library Allotments totaling $4.415 million. She also mentioned additional reduction considerations including:
*Early Resignation Incentive
*Staffing Consultant Suggestions
*Class Size Adjustment K-4
*Program Changes and Adjustments
*Department Budget Adjustments
*High School Scheduling Transition (block to traditional) for 2012-2013
*Furlough Days (if state approves)

Executive Director of Human Resources Sharon Roy also shared in the discussion a proposed salary range for teachers. It was discussed that this new system could possibly replace existing teacher salary schedule. It eliminates mandatory step increases and allows flexibility in hiring.