Eduardo Ramos,
Chief Financial Officer
The Austin Independent School District is the heart of public education in Austin, Texas—a city of ideas and innovation that tops the nation's rankings of the best communities in which to work and live.
Austin ISD educates more than 73,000 students and embraces 116 diverse school communities in one of the fastest-growing metroplexes in the country. In partnership with our families and our community, AISD's mission is to provide a comprehensive educational experience that is high-quality, challenging and inspires all students to make a positive contribution to society. We partner with world-class universities, innovative businesses, nonprofit organizations and engaged community leaders to prepare our students for college, career and life.
The Board of Trustees adopted the 2024–25 budget, totaling $954 million in operating expenses, at its June 20 Regular Voting Meeting.
The details: Austin taxpayers generated $1.69 billion in revenue for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1. However, after $821 million is sent to the state’s recapture program, the district will operate with a $78 million deficit for the 2024-25 school year.
What they're saying: "It’s really important that we do everything we can to communicate to our community that we’ve become as efficient as we can be without adversely impacting the classroom to the best of our ability," said Superintendent Segura. "We know there is going to be an impact — I want to be very clear with the scale that we’re talking about."
Of note: The 2024–25 budget does not include funding for staff pay increases. Any pay increases, including market adjustments, would need funding through a successful VATRE or other new revenue sources. All the details are outlined in a plan created in consultation with Education Austin.
How we got here: The final budget comes after months of community feedback and reductions in staff at Central Office and districtwide contracts.
The bottom line: Austin ISD isn’t alone in this budget situation. Districts across the area and the state are grappling with deficit budgets and staffing cuts as another legislative session is set to begin in 2025.
"I also want to move into the legislative session with as little reliance on the need for additional funding as possible," said Superintendent Segura. "But I do acknowledge 70 plus million is an ambitious goal, but I would like that to be the goal, it’s not going to be the required goal, but I do want to leave no stone unturned."
La mesa directiva adopta un presupuesto anual de $954 millones
La mesa directiva adoptó el presupuesto para 2024–25 de un total de $954 millones para gastos operativos en su junta ordinaria de votación del 20 de junio.
Los detalles: Los contribuyentes fiscales de Austin generaron $1,690 millones en ingresos para el próximo año fiscal, que comienza el 1.° de julio. Sin embargo, después de que se envíen $821 millones al programa de recuperación del estado, el distrito operará con un déficit de $78 millones en el ciclo escolar 2024-25.
Lo que se está diciendo: "Es realmente importante que hagamos todo lo que podamos para comunicarle a nuestra comunidad que hemos alcanzado el mayor nivel de eficiencia que nos es posible, haciendo todo nuestro esfuerzo para afectar mínimamente el salón de clases", dijo el superintendente Segura. "Quiero ser muy claro en cuanto a la magnitud de lo que estamos hablando, ya que sabemos que esto tendrá un impacto".
Digno de mención: El presupuesto de 2024–25 no incluye financiamiento para aumentos en el pago del personal. Cualquier aumento de pago, incluyendo ajustes del mercado, requeriría financiamiento a través de una VATRE u otras nuevas fuentes de ingresos. Todos los detalles se describen en un plan creado con el asesoramiento de Education Austin.
Cómo llegamos aquí: El presupuesto final llega después de meses de comentarios de la comunidad y reducciones del personal de las oficinas centrales y de contratos en todo el distrito.
En conclusión: El Austin ISD no es el único en esta situación presupuestaria. Los distritos de todo el estado están bregando con presupuestos con déficits y recortes de personal mientras se tiene programado que comience otra sesión legislativa en 2025.
"También quiero pasar a la sesión legislativa dependiendo lo menos posible en la necesidad de fondos adicionales", dijo el superintendente Segura. "Reconozco que más de 70 millones es una meta ambiciosa, pero me gustaría establecer eso como la meta, aunque no será la meta requerida, no quiero escatimar en esfuerzos".
The Board of Trustees is meeting weekly this month as they refine two major items that will determine how Austin ISD operates for years to come.
Why it matters: With the ongoing financial strain due to outdated state funding and recapture, it’s critical for the district to keep a focus on student achievement while making every dollar count.
Let’s dig into the latest budget discussions:
And now to the Scorecard:
What’s next: After two working meetings this month, the board will meet again June 20 for a voting meeting, including the 2024–25 budget and Scorecard.
Austin ISD recently hosted three groundbreaking ceremonies for schools undergoing full modernizations, marking the commencement of the first modernization projects since voters approved the 2022 Bond.
Two schools also celebrated kick-offs on the construction of the renovations to their open-concept floor plans, adding full walls and doors between learning areas to enhance safety and the overall student experience.
What they’re saying: “As we reflect on our campus’ history and celebrate our 50th anniversary, we are also looking to the future with great excitement,” said Cook Elementary Principal Priscilla Sanchez Emamian. “The improvements planned from the 2022 Bond will make a tremendous positive impact on our students and staff. We can’t wait to see our school’s transformation.”
What's next: Construction on the modernizations of Harris Elementary School, Wooten Elementary School and Sadler Means Young Women’s Leadership Academy will kick off this summer, with Harris and Wooten expected to open in January 2026, and Sadler Means anticipated to open in January 2027.
Go deeper: For more information about 2022 Bond projects, visit www.AISDFuture.com or message us on Let's Talk by texting (512) 856-6123 or online at https://bit.ly/Letstalkaisdbond
Executive Director of Bond Implementation and Communications
(512) 414-8942