Marble Falls School Board hears austerity options targeting positions, costs; early-out incentives offered for second year
MARBLE FALLS — The School Board March 26 got a good look at a leaner future as a consultant laid out a suggested austerity package designed to trim staff and save more than a million dollars.
Marble Falls Independent School District trustees also approved for the second year an early-out incentives program to pay teachers who announce their retirement over the next two weeks.
Meanwhile, a future plan to absorb positions through attrition could target instructional aides, non-campus clerical positions, physical education staff, vacancies at Marble Falls Middle School, vacancies at Marble Falls High School, special needs and physical therapists and library staff. It could also reorganize nursing services.
"These are not designed to be recommendations," said Richard Lane, a consultant who prepared a report for trustees. "The idea of this report is to lay out some options for you."
The costs in savings is more than a million dollars, according to figures presented during the MFISD’s board’s meeting.
But Trustee Kevin Naumann said it’s important to look past the data and see the staff and campuses that would be affected.
"Data-driven decisions are good, but it’s this humble board member’s opinion it’s a whole lot different when you’re out there in the trenches," he said. "I think it’s important to note these are just suggestions."
The board took no action.
However, trustees did authorize offering up to a $2,500 incentive to teachers who turn in their resignations before April 9.
The district has alloted funds for up to 25 staff to voluntarily submit their notices. Last year, 14 employees participated, said Wade Stanford, the district’s executive director of business and finance.
The district will pay a staffer 5 percent of his or her annual salary not to exceed $2,500 for giving early notice of their resignation, Stanford said.
Employees eligible for the program can begin notifying Human Resources March 28.
The cost-saving measures presented to the board are prompted by deep cuts — about $4 billion — the Legislature made to the state education budget in 2011.
Lane said there probably wouldn’t be a brighter budget picture for Texas schools until 2014-2015.
Other Highland Lakes school districts are also facing some tough choices. The Burnet Consolidated School District last week discussed a deficit budget of more than $1 million and possible staff cuts.
For more on this story, pick up a copy of the March 28 River Cities Sunday Tribune.