BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) -As the school year draws to a close, districts across Texas are grappling with a trifecta of financial hurdles: inflation, the expiration of pandemic-relief grants, and stagnant state funding.
The Bryan Independent School District is among those addressing these obstacles head-on as they prepare for the 2024-2025 academic year.
In a recent letter to parents, Superintendent Ginger Carrabine reassured families that all student programs would continue, and returning staff members would retain their positions. However, the district outlined several budgetary adjustments, including leaving central office vacancies unfilled and restructuring responsibilities. Additionally, reductions in travel for conferences and adjustments to class ratios are on the agenda.
These measures come amidst broader statewide concerns highlighted by the Texas State Teachers Association. Clay Robison, a spokesperson for the association, underscored the critical issue of funding shortages he says are exacerbated by legislative inaction.
“School districts have to set their budgets the summer before the school year. And school districts are operating right on the budgets they operated this year that were set last summer. And although they didn’t get any funding increase during the regular session, they were assuming they would get a funding increase during one of the special sessions in the fall,” said Robison. “And there was no reason for them not to expect that. After all, it was a record $33,000,000,000 budget surplus, plenty of money to give school districts much-needed budget increases and educators much-needed pay raises.”
Robison pointed to Governor Greg Abbott’s stance on vouchers, which has hindered much-needed increases in education funding.
“But because that voucher provision was taken out of this funding bill, the governor had sent word that he was not going to sign any funding increase for public schools if he didn’t get funding for private schools through vouchers. So what this has done, it’s created budgetary shortfalls in many school districts around the state,” Robison added. “Budgetary issues are the big issue for school districts, and the fault of that is Governor Greg Abbott. Governor Greg Abbott has refused to exercise his constitutional duty for public schools because he will not give legislative approval, at least not yet for vouchers for private schools.”
Allison Pennington is an education consultant by trade but spoke out solely as a mom to a young Bryan ISD student.
“He’s having a great year and I want to see him continue having those positive experiences. I want our teachers and students and administrators to feel that they have the support and resources that they need and that just going to be really tough this year,” said Pennington.
She expressed a mix of appreciation for the district’s efforts and concern for her child’s educational experience.
“When I saw the letter, I wasn’t surprised because I know Bryant ISD is not immune to the challenges and pressures that have been facing school districts across the nation and especially in Texas. I also felt appreciative because I know, or I have a sense that the district leadership has gone through a lot of effort to try to find cost savings wherever they can and try to be smart and inclusive when making decisions about how to deal with these budget shortfalls that they’re dealing with,” said Pennington.
Pennington emphasized the importance of legislative support for public schools and urged continued community engagement.
“I’m a big believer that everyone has a personal interest in the success of our public education system. Even if you didn’t participate in it, even if you don’t have children currently in the public education system, It’s a really important part of our state’s infrastructure,” Pennington added. “I’m not sure how that’s gonna play out in the next session. I really wanna see our legislature continue to provide the support that our schools need and don’t wanna see that held up by fights over other issues.”
Budget Letter to Bryan ISD Families
4/26/2024
Dear Bryan ISD Staff and Families,
In Texas, and across the nation, we are all experiencing record inflation. This, coupled with the ending of pandemic-relief grant funding, and the impact of no increase in state funding (basic allotment per student) since 2019, has resulted in a difficult budget situation for Texas public schools. I believe in the importance of transparency, hence my update today. As always, we are meticulously planning to ensure our school system is effective and efficient while developing the district budget for 2024-2025.
Bryan ISD anticipated the state-wide public school funding shortages, and we’ve been purposefully planning since Spring 2022. Working together is critical in navigating these challenges. Through this process, we have collaborated, acquired feedback, and ensured that staff members had a voice at the table. For example, we partnered with campus and district administrators to gather their insight and feedback. Additionally, we visited each school and invited staff members to be involved in the conversation and provide much-needed input.
As a result of these meetings, Bryan ISD will serve our students and maintain existing opportunities. Every student program in Bryan ISD will continue to be offered for the upcoming school year, and all returning staff members will have a position. Like any other year, we will balance staff allocations to match student enrollment and needs.
To accomplish these budget goals, district administration is leading by example. I have already announced that we will not fill some current and upcoming central office vacancies. Instead, we are taking a team approach by restructuring, balancing responsibilities, and redefining roles. I am confident that existing staff and leadership are ready, willing, and able to step into these duties to best serve students and staff. We will continue to monitor and evaluate these vacancies and determine when, or if, they should be filled. Other budget reductions include, but are not limited to, energy conservation, reducing travel to staff conferences, and minor adjustments to class ratios. Thankfully, we are poised for this moment, and the adjustments will not be radical.
Moving forward, Bryan ISD will continue to provide exceptional programs and opportunities that lead to student success. Undeniably, education is a people-oriented business. I assure you that the district is actively working to retain a high-quality workforce through competitive salaries in order to serve our students and community. We will continue to update the public at all upcoming Board meetings through the end of June, when the budget will be considered for adoption. As always, I appreciate your support of our school district.
Sincerely,
Ginger Carrabine
Superintendent of Bryan ISD
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