As the Texas Legislature discusses the budget for the 2012-13 biennium, Magnolia ISD (MISD) has been preparing for a tight budget.

MISD has planned two Budget Impact Meetings to explain the Texas budget proposal and what it could mean for MISD.

Superintendent Todd Stephens previously addressed the issue in a letter to the community. He wrote that the new budget proposal shows a shortfall of $9.8 billion in Texas education. He explained that this would translate to a $12 million or 15 percent shortfall for MISD for the 2012-13 biennium.

MISD would have to consider cutting back on professional and paraprofessional staff, Stephens said. He also stated that electives, fine arts, athletics and after school programs would have to be considered in the cuts.

Nichols Sawmill Elementary teacher Stacy Fikac said that the meeting will include what MISD is already doing to prepare for a budget shortfall.

In addition, Fikac said MISD will discuss possible ways the community can help such as contacting the legislature or adjusting property taxes.

Currently, the property taxes are at $1.04 per $100 of valuation and if the residents choose to vote on the issue, then property taxes could rise to $1.13, according to Stephens.

“We will discuss different ways we can all make a difference,” Fikac said.

She stated that the goal is to ensure that students are not affected if Texas lowers its school’s budgets.

“We could be going up to 30 kids in a classroom,” she said. “We just want parents to be aware.”

The meetings are scheduled for March 2 at 7 p.m. in the Magnolia West High School cafeteria and March 4 at 7 p.m. in the Bear Branch Junior High cafeteria. Each meeting will cover the same information ending with a question and answer session.

The meetings are open to the community. Letters about the meetings were also sent home with students last week.

For more information, visit magnoliaisd.org.

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed