The Bandera ISD School Board met in its regular meeting on May 13 to review the proposed budget for the 2024-2025 school year ahead of the vote regarding the budget on June 24.
Bandera CFO Michael Neuman presented the proposed budget and reviewed what areas would increase and decrease. He started the presentation by describing the process by which the budget is developed.
From September to October, campuses review their Campus Improvement Plans and set goals for the coming year. The end of October PEIMS enrollment count helps principals determine their staffing needs for the coming year during November.
From January to February, the board reviews staffing, benefit costs and salaries and approves those projections. Salary and benefits are 80 percent of a school district’s budget.
In February, principals and staff develop their proposed grade level, department, and campus budgets. The Budget Finance template was released from the Texas Education Agency in April. This helps the CFO and Superintendent estimate the amount of funds available in the coming year from the state and local property taxes.
In April, the campus budgets are reviewed by the Superintendent and Campus Principal. The proposed campus budget then goes to the Campus Improvement Committee for review.
In May, the first Board Budget Workshop was held. The budget is finally adopted in June by the Board of Trustees. This year, the board will meet June 24 to consider the district’s budget for the coming school year.
Bandera ISD’s budget year runs from July 1 until May 31 each year.
Under revenues, Neuman noted in his presentation that the taxes collected locally will decrease from $19,800,000 to 17,300,000. This is a decrease of $2,500,000.
Other local revenues that will decrease are SHARS (School Health and Related Services) by $60,000 and TRS On Behalf (Teacher Retirement System money designated by the school district) by $51,356.
The interest earned on school district money will increase to $300,000 up from $100,000.
The Foundation School revenue is estimated to increase by $3,254,648 up from this year’s state revenue of $1,799,076. These changes will result in a revenue increase of $849,292.
State revenue accounts for 20% of the 2024-2025 budget. Local revenue accounts for 74% of the budget and other sources of revenue accounts for 6% of the budget.
Within the individual categories of the budget, teacher payroll, supplies, contracted services, operating expenses, and capital outlay (Function 11) will increase by $515,044 for the new school year.
The library services (Function 12) budget for 2024-2025 which includes librarian payroll, supplies, contracted services, operating expenses, and capital outlay will decrease by $5,738.
The instructional curriculum budget for 2024-2025 (Function 13) will increase by $7,673 due to an increase in payroll expenditures. This function is accountable for curriculum services and staff training.
The budget for instructional leadership (Function 21) for 2024-2025 will decrease by $13,273. Instructional leadership is the account that concerns managing, directing, supervising and leading instructional providers.
Campus administration (Function 23) or campus principals will increase by $32,872. This function includes payroll, supplies, contracted services, operating expenses, and capital outlay.
The budget for guidance counselors’ payroll, supplies, contracted services, operating expenses, and capital outlay (Function 31) will increase by $157,592.
School health services (Function 33) which includes payroll, contracted services, supplies, operating expenses, and capital outlay will decrease by $29,468. This budget encompasses school nurse and school year clinic expenses for every campus.
School transportation services (Function 34) will increase by $93,389. This includes transportation department increases in payroll, supplies, and operating budgets within that function.
Cafeteria expenses (Function 35) will increase by $894. Only payroll is paid from this function. Other funds are expended through SFE’s budget monies.
The extracurricular budget (Function 36) will decrease by $10,244. This decrease is accounted for in payroll costs.
The budget for general administration accounts for costs incurred through the school superintendent and the school board. General administration’s (Function 41) budget will increase $31,458. The total increase is covered by payroll expenses.
Plant Maintenance (Function 51) will increase by $24,804. The custodial supplies budget, however, will decrease by $14,230. This function includes expenditures for custodial and maintenance department expenses for the campuses.
An increase of $6,785 (Function 52) in the Security budget is accounted for in payroll costs.
The 2024-2025 Budget will be approved at the next Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees on June 24, 2024.
The board also recognized State and National qualifiers including the Middle School Academic Pentathlon Team.
Calin Ortiz and Alec Smith from Bandera High School were recognized for being Bandera ISD’s Students of the Month for May 2024. Mrs. Paty Cardenas was recognized as Staff Member of the Month.
Director of Operations Dayle Heiner informed the Board that the Head Start Playground at Hill Country Elementary will be moved from in front of the building to behind the building with the other playground areas. The Head Start administration would find more equipment for the new location.
Heiner also briefed the Board on the District Vulnerability Assessment.
The Consent Agenda was approved without discussion.
The board approved the hiring of an additional CTE/Agriculture teacher.
The purchase of 1200 new Chromebooks from Computer Technology Link Corporation was approved. The Board approved an adjustment to the 2024-2025 Teacher Calendar.
The board approved the purchase of Eureka Math Instructional Materials with the remaining federal money from the ESSER III allotment.
The board approved the purchase of textbooks for the district.
The purchase and replacement of a new 15-ton HVAC unit for Bandera High School was approved.
The purchase of wearable panic buttons for teachers from Crisis Go was approved.
The board approved the bid to install security fencing and gates at Bandera High School.
The Food Service Contract from SFE was approved by the Board.
Budget Amendment 7 was approved to finish out the budget year ending June 30.
The board went into closed session at 7:50 p.m. and returned at 8:29 p.m. The Board voted to not accept the bid proposed for the real estate in Pipe Creek.
The next regular meeting of the BISD Board of Trustees will be on June 24 at the Board Room at Central Administration. The Board voted to cancel the July school board meeting, which is a common practice for most districts.
