Dickinson ISD Gator Bytes

DISD begins to make tough budget reductions for 2011-2012 school year

As Dickinson ISD enters the last nine weeks of this school year, budget planning for the 2011-2012 school year remains a central focus of the district. Dickinson ISD Superintendent Dr. Leland Williams has advised the Board of Trustees that the district is facing at least a $5 million reduction in funding for the next school year -- with some estimates as high as $9 million.

The district will not know the final reduction until the Texas State Legislature approves the state budget toward the end of this school year. At the same time, DISD administrators and the Board of Trustees cannot wait until that time to develop our own budget which has to be finalized and approved by the end of August. So, the district is faced with the task of developing a budget without knowing our expected revenue.

The Board of Trustees has made the first steps towards that goal and over the last two board meetings has approved some reductions. In the meantime, the Administration is looking into other possible reductions that will be brought to the Board for consideration over the next couple of months.

Approved Reductions:

Substitute daily rate was decreased for 2011-2012.
Annual savings: $160,000.
Due to small class sizes, bilingual students in grades pre-kindergarten through third grade at Bay Colony and Hughes Road Elementary Schools will be rezoned to Calder Road Elementary in 2011-2012. Annual savings: $300,000.
Work calendars for several groups of employees, including administrators, support staff positions and secretarial and clerical positions, will be reduced by five days each.
Annual savings: $250,000.
Publication of the district's newsletter, "Dialogue," will be reduced from four to two issues per year starting next school year. The newsletter will be published in July and February. Annual savings: $8,600.
The district will eliminate the cards and lapel pins given to Dickinson High School graduating seniors from the Board of Trustees. Annual savings: $3,000.
Changes have been made to the district's Employee Service Awards program. Starting this school year, the district will honor employees with 10 or more years of service, in five-year increments. Employees with five years of service will be recognized at the campus or department level with a seal pin. Annual savings: $3,000.

The Administration is also looking into the following cost-saving measures to possibly propose for Board consideration:

Reducing or eliminating stipends given to employees for extra duties in athletics, academic and extra-curricular activities.
Increasing class sizes at all levels -- 25 at elementary, 28 at middle schools, 30 at junior high and 35 at high school.