Leaving the Children Behind
By Michael King, Fri., May 16, 2003
Reductions to health insurance for teachers and school employees: $800 million
Increase in active employee contribution to retiree insurance: $180 million
Increase in premiums for retiree insurance: $133 million
Reduction to TEA textbook purchases: $350 million
Elimination of Technology Infrastructure Fund school/library grants: $241 million
Reduction in Career and Technology Allotment: $50 million
Reduction in Student Success Initiative: $30 million
Elimination of Texas Reading and Math Initiatives: $64 million*
Reduction in Ninth-Grade Basic Skills Initiative: $25 million to $35 million
Reduction of After-School Initiative: $12 million to $25 million
Elimination of Communities in Schools: $26 million*
Elimination of guidance counselors: $15 million
Reduction to Teen Parenting Program: $6 million to $10 million
*House version only -- Senate restores
Austin ISD
The AISD budget isn't finalized until August, but the administration and the board of trustees have agreed on reductions of $21.5 million in anticipation of a $51 million deficit. The remaining $29.5 million will come from AISD's reserve fund.
Major reductions include: eliminating 550 positions, including more than 400 campus-level jobs. Staff cuts include special-area teachers (art, music, and physical education), special-education staff, coaches, and custodians, and the elimination of the Account for Learning and Reading Recovery programs (both campus-based tutoring programs of at-risk students). They will be replaced by 72 reading specialists assigned by need and at an anticipated savings to the district of $6 million. (About half of the laid-off employees will be eligible for reassignment, and the district expects attrition to enable the rehiring of others.)
Should the Lege further reduce state support or property-tax revenues fall, AISD administration will propose additional cuts.
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