State Funding Cuts Force Districts to Cut Staff, Programs
1.
2. RESPONSES TO STATE FUNDING CUTS IN
OTHER DISTRICTS
Reduction in force/layoffs
Larger class sizes
Limited elective choices for students
Fewer extra and co-curricular courses
Reduction/elimination or additional charges to
parents for non-mandated courses (art, athletics,
music, etc.)
Reduction in services such as bus routes, campus
security, crossing guards, maintenance and grounds
keeping
Less support for instruction
3. GPISD RESPONSE TO STATE FUNDING
Reduced salary costs by $5 million through voluntary
attrition
Reduced non-personnel budgets by 5% for a net
savings of $1,085,000
Re-negotiated electricity contract for a savings of
$800,000, at a time when utility costs are skyrocketing!
4. WHAT ARE OUR OPTIONS?
A reduction or elimination of the homestead
exemption
A Tax Rate Election (TRE)
We have chosen to pursue a TRE because it is the
only option that does not have a negative impact
on our taxpayers
5. GALENA PARK ISD TAX RATE ELECTION
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS ELECTION?
Texas school finance laws require GPISD to obtain voter ratification for a
proposed tax rate increase to access additional revenues for general
operation expenses. GPISD will be in a position to raise $5.4 million in
additional revenues to fund operational costs related to fuel, instructional
technology, supplies and materials, salaries, etc. These expenses can only
be funded out of the Maintenance and Operations Fund.
HOW WOULD THE TRE AFFECT THE TAX RATE?
This is the good news… It doesn’t! A reduction in the I & S tax rate
approved previously by the Board of Trustees offsets the M & O tax
rate increase. As a result of the I & S tax rate reduction, the total tax
rate will not change for GPISD’s tax payers.
6. GALENA PARK ISD TAX RATE ELECTION
WHAT DOES MY VOTE MEAN?
An “AGAINST” vote denies Galena Park ISD the
opportunity to access additional operational
funds. It may also result in reduced staff,
programs and activities for GPISD.
A “FOR” vote gives your approval to access
additional revenues for the general operating
expenses with no resulting tax rate increase.
7. ELECTION DAY
SATURDAY
SEPTEMBER 15, 2012
EARLY VOTING PERIOD: August 29 – Sept. 11, 2012 at:
Galena Park ISD Administration Building
Galena Park Middle School
Jacinto City Elementary
Editor's Notes
FINANCIAL CHALLENGES DUE TO REDUCED STATE FUNDINGIn Galena Park ISD, we never forget that it’s your school district, they’re your children, and that it’s your money! Our desire has always been to honor your trust by maintaining quality facilities, providing an exemplary education to our students, and by being good stewards of taxpayer dollars. Your school district has a record of financial responsibility that you can be proud of. We have received the highest ranking on the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas for ten (10) years in a row! Additionally, Galena Park ISD was one of only 46 school districts out of over 1000 identified as a very low spending, high achieving district by the Texas State Comptroller. GPISD earned a 5 star rating under the 2011 Financial Allocation Study for Texas. However, based on recent mandates from Austin, school districts across the state have been faced with tough budget decisions that have led to:
Like all school districts, Galena Park ISD was forced to make tough decisions to continue to operate efficiently and effectively based on reduced funding from the state. To date we have:
We are left with very few options to access funds for necessary district opertations. Our choices are:
Legal LanguageLastly, please note what cannot be included on the ballot. The total tax rate in Galena Park ISD is made up of two parts, Maintenance & Operations and Interest & Sinking. Galena Park ISD needs voter ratification to raise the Maintenance & Operations tax rate and this is the only information that can legally be included on the ballot. However, based on previous board action, the Interest and Sinking Fund tax rate was lowered so that in the end, the total tax rate will remain the same.In accordance with legal statute, we cannot and therefore will not ask you to support this election.However, we can and therefore I will, ask you to vote.
