The Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees approved a $488,405,505 operating budget for the 2010-2011 school year at its June 14 regular business meeting. The FBISD budget is designed to provide educational services for a projected 69,687 students.

Given the difficult budget challenges the district addressed this past year, the 2010-2011 budget is balanced and fiscally conservative while still supporting District Strategic Plan priorities and instructional programs. The budget includes a continued low administrative cost ratio and additional staffing for opening three new campuses in August: Heritage Rose Elementary School; Ridge Point High School; and the Ferndell Henry Center for Learning. Salaries levels will be the same as last year, and the beginning salary for first-year teachers is $44,500.

In order to help offset an estimated $10.8 million deficit in what the district pays for annual employee health care benefits, the new budget includes a 15 percent increase to employee health benefits effective January 1, 2011. Even with this increase, the district will still be facing a deficit of more than $5 million in health care costs.

Other changes will include an increase in mail order pharmacy co-pays and office visit co-pays, and implementation of a mandatory specialty drug program. Detailed information regarding changes to the health care program can be viewed on the district website at www.fortbendisd.com by opening the "Information/FAQs."

Other major areas in which the district made adjustments in order to adopt a balanced budget include:

• Reduction in Force (RIF) - $19,802,069
• Lawn care outsourcing - $325,000
• Transportation (eliminate activity run) - $600,000
• Transportation (route changes) - $1,600,000
• Summer 4-day compressed work week - $300,000

A link to the entire 2010-2011 FBISD budget also is available on the front page of the district website directly below the Financial Challenges link.

Contact: Mary Ann Simpson, Community Relations, 281.643.1104