Budget Update

Brownsville ISD officials will present three draft budget recommendations to the Board of Trustees Budget Committee for discussion purposes on Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 5:30 PM in the Boardroom. Consultants with the Texas School Alliance estimate possible funding reductions for Brownsville ISD at $15.9 million, $31.3 million and $50.6 million. The three draft budgets to be presented are based on these estimates.

Brownsville ISD, like all Texas school districts, is grappling with the $18–$27 billion budget shortfall announced by the Comptroller at the start of the legislative session. Since funding for public education makes up approximately 44% of the state budget, local school districts are feeling a major impact.

Brownsville ISD’s current budget of a little over $505 million includes almost $326 million in state revenues. All school districts are slated to lose funding in the coming biennium. Just how much BISD will lose will not be known until the Texas Legislature officially formalizes and approves the budget which is several months from now. Superintendent Brett Springston and the Board of Trustees continue to monitor the legislative events in Austin and their impact on BISD.