With less than two weeks remaining in this legislative session, Texas lawmakers have yet to come to a consensus on a finance bill, leaving school districts in a state of uncertainty. Despite lawmakers’ indecision, fiscal analysts have projected cuts in MISD to range from $10 million to $30 million. At next month’s school board meeting, district officials will submit a five-year strategic plan for MISD detailing the direction in which schools and administration will employ cost cutting measures.
Superintendent Bob Morrison has released several statements and accompanying videos recently reporting MISD’s sound financial status in the wake of the impending budget cuts. Students and teachers will begin to see changes next year as administrators begin to implement district-wide adjustments.
“You’re going to see changes in bell schedules and in delivery of instruction,” Dr. Morrison said. “If it doesn’t turn around, eventually you could start seeing program changes in the next few years.”
Next year, middle schools will shift to an eight-period hybrid schedule which high schools plan to emulate in coming years. The eight-period schedule intends to ultimately decrease the amount of teachers needed for the same number of students and allows for easier staff reallocation. As for program changes, they are predicted to involve cutbacks in athletic and fine arts sectors. Still, Athletic Coordinator Coach Melson’s outlook remains positive.
“We’ll be fine,” Coach Melson said. “We might have to rely on the booster club fund raisers a little more, but overall we’ll have everything [we need] and then some.”
If the Texas House and Senate do not agree on a finance bill, Governor Rick Perry will likely call for a special session. Considering the limited time remaining in this session, which ends on May 31, chances lawmakers will settle financial debates during this session seem slim.
“I don’t have any expectation that this will be resolved in the current session,” Dr. Morrison said, citing the legislators’ stalling on the issue.
Unlike other school districts, MISD has announced it should not have to lay off teachers to buffer against the coming shortfalls. Comparatively, MISD has employed 512 less personnel than districts of similar size, which has left the district with considerably more funds to keep current teachers, administrators and support personnel employed. As district officials draft a strategic plan for the coming years, they plan to retain this conservative approach to maintain the stability of the district.
“You don’t want to mortgage future generations for a decision you make today,” Dr. Morrison said. “[However] tighter budgets in the coming years are a reality.”
The beginning of these cutbacks, Dr. Morrison says, should start in the administrative sectors before changes begin to show in the classroom.
“I think students will be able to adjust as long as we’re willing to help them along the way,” Dr. Morrison said. “It’s all in how the staff incorporates that extra help.”
