Jim Murphy - A Republican for Texas State Representative

Spring Branch ISD OKs budget, seeks state's help on funding

By ANNETTE BAIRD
Chronicle Correspondent
May 29, 2008, 4:58PM
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

After months of hand wringing about a projected $10 million deficit for 2008-09, Spring Branch school district board members approved a budget balanced with funds from the district's reserves on May 19.

However, they warned the district could not continue to use reserve funds to balance the budget and again called on state legislators to change the school funding formula, which does not provide for inflationary costs and requires property rich districts like Spring Branch to help fund poorer districts.

The $269 million budget includes a 3 percent pay increase for staff and incorporates salaries for an additional six custodians and 25 technology support staff.

The district also is projecting a $19 million payment to the state to fund poorer districts under the state's funding formula, often referred to as "Robin Hood."

"It burns me we have to send $19 some odd million to the state of Texas when we could use this for kids in the district," said board member Wayne Schaper.

Board member Susan Mathews defended the 3-percent pay raise for district staff in the face of budget woes. She said the district has to increase salaries to remain competitive.

At the meeting, state Rep. Jim Murphy, R-Houston, urged the district to use the reserve funds rather than raise taxes to cover the deficit.

Murphy pledged to work on school funding when state legislators convene in January.

"I understand funding formulas have to be worked on," Murphy said. "(School districts) can't keep doing this year after year."

The state's share of funding for school districts was set in 2006 under House Bill 1 and does not allow for inflationary costs. To continue to cover rising costs, districts are being forced to raise taxes or dip into reserves.

Board president Mike Falick predicted in about four years the district will exhaust its reserve funds, which should be almost 20 percent of the operating budget according to district policy.

Falick urged constituents to pressure their state representatives to work on the issue in January.

"There is a critical need," Falick said.

Designs approved

During the meeting, trustees approved the designs of Westwood and Hollibrook Elementary schools, the first two of 12 elementary schools to be rebuilt under the $597 million bond program.

SHW Group is the architect for Hollibrook, 3602 Hollister, while PBK is the architect for Westwood, 2100 Shadowdale. Hollibrook is expected to cost $18.6 million and Westwood $14.5 million.

In other news, trustees approved contracts worth $45.8 million, including $8.3 million for upgrades to Cedar Brook, Treasure Forest, Buffalo Creek, Sherwood and Nottingham Elementary schools under the bond program, and $25.9 million for employee benefits with Aetna and other providers.

"We are in the health-care business, whether we like it or not," board member David Converse said.

Converse acknowledged the work and tough decisions district administrators had to make to keep costs down.

Trustees also approved naming the new field house at 1050 Dairy Ashford the Mike Williamson Field House, after the longtime and popular district executive athletics director, who retired in 2001 after 40 years with the district.