The first of two “Community Conversations” about the Austin Independent School District’s 2011-2012 preliminary budget was held Thursday night at Reagan High School in East Austin.
At the meeting, AISD Superintendent Meria Carstarphen spoke frankly about the district’s funding challenges.
“We almost have not done enough, so with that in mind, we are taking risks as we move forward,” she said.
AISD officials described the meetings as a chance for the public to provide “critical input” on the budget, including possible revenue sources, before it’s presented to the Board of Trustees April 11.
The district faces a roughly $100-million shortfall for the upcoming school year, forcing AISD board members to make some tough suggestions on how to seal that gap, including closing schools and cutting thousands of teaching positions.
In addition, it’s unclear when the legislature will finalize the budget, meaning school officials are having a hard time knowing just what to plan for.
“[The legislature] could go into a special session and if it does, there’s another reality for Austin and districts in Texas: we start the next school year without knowing what the bottom line is,” Carstarphen said.
Some preliminary versions of the state budget would cut just $4 billion from public education, but district officials remain concerned about what the future holds.
“If this year is bad, next year is going to be just as bad,” Carstarphen said.
The second community input meeting will be March 31 at Bowie High School in South Austin.
Related Stories
3/8/2011 AISD budget battle continues
3/7/2011 AISD will meet to discuss voluntary staff buyouts
2/17/2011 Carstarphen to city council: We need a solution
1/25/2011 AISD board votes to cut almost 500 positions- 1/22/2011 AISD officials call Saturday meeting
- 1/20/2011 Legislators predict blowback from education cuts
- 9/21/2010 AISD begins budget talks for 2011-2012 school year
- 3/18/2010 AISD balances budget; plans for future
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