Category Archives: Budget

HISD Board of Education approves 2015-2016 budget; raises for teachers, principals, staff

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday adopted a 2015-2016 budget with significant salary increases designed to help the district hire and retain the most effective teachers and principals.

As part of the approved budget, teachers will get a minimum salary increase of 2 percent, with beginning teacher salaries jumping up to $51,500 — almost $5,000 more than they earned just two years ago. Certified bilingual teachers would earn an additional $4,000 annual stipend, more than triple the current stipend.

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HISD budget plan includes raises for teachers, principals and staff; no tax rate increase

Salary increases that will help the Houston Independent School District hire and retain effective principals, teachers and district staff remain a top priority for administrators as they continue to develop a budget for the 2015-2016 school year.

Under the proposed budget, teachers would get a minimum salary increase of 2 percent, with beginning teacher salaries jumping up to $50,500 — almost $4,000 more than they earned just two years ago. Certified bilingual teachers would earn an additional $4,000 annual stipend, a significant increase over the current $1,250 stipend.

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Public meeting June 18 on budget and proposed tax rate

The Houston Independent School District will be holding a public meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 18, 2015, in the board auditorium of the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th Street, 77092).

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the school district’s budget, which will determine the tax rate that will be adopted. Public participation in the discussion is invited.

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HISD wins financial reporting award for 40th consecutive year

HISD’s Office of the Controller has won the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting award for the 40th consecutive year.

The district received the award for the exemplary quality of its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). The certificate is considered the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education gets first glimpse of 2015-2016 recommended budget

Despite decreasing state funds, district continues to emphasize competitive salaries for teachers and principals as well as increased bilingual stipends

Under the state’s current funding structure, the Houston Independent School District could lose $46.4 million in state funds for the 2015-2016 school year because of rising property values throughout the city.

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HISD board to vote on 2014-2015 budget at special session Thursday

After two months of preparation and review, the Houston ISD Board of Education will meet at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 19, at district headquarters to consider adopting a $1.74 billion budget for 2014-2015. The proposed budget addresses the district’s key priorities – increasing teacher pay, supporting the implementation of a comprehensive literacy plan, and funding required increases and expenditures that will ultimately save the district long term.

“Preparing an annual budget is a complex process that requires sound forecasting and tough discussions,” Houston Independent School District Chief Financial Officer Ken Huewitt said. “The workshops, countless hours of review and discussion have resulted in what we believe is a very strong budget proposal that is fair and in line with the district’s goals and priorities.”

Under the proposal, all teachers will receive raises between $1,100 and $2,300, depending on length of service. The budget also begins a phased-in plan to adjust the overall teacher pay scale, bringing starting salaries to $49,100 to make HISD more competitive with neighborhood districts in an active recruiting market.
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HISD administration communicates final magnet funding proposal

New formula is designed to improve equity across programs

Next week, the HISD Board of Education will vote on a district-wide magnet funding formula that is designed to improve equity across programs and increase transparency in the magnet and specialty program funding process. These changes will be presented to the HISD Board of Education for their consideration on June 19 during a special budget meeting.

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HISD Tax Rate Remains Lowest Among 24 Districts in Harris County

The HISD Board of Education on Thursday adopted a 3-cent property tax rate increase. This represents the first such rate increase since 2001. The new property tax rate of $1.1867 per $100 taxable value is nearly 24 cents less than the average Harris County school district – maintaining HISD’s position as having the lowest rate of any district in the region.

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HISD Board of Education Approves $1.62 Billion Budget for 2013-2014 Academic Year

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education has approved a $1.62 billion budget for the 2013-2014 academic year that includes $16 million to provide additional support to students at struggling schools and 2-percent pay raises for all HISD employees.

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