by Nicole Bradford
Pearland ISD’s pay scale and upcoming budget will be a topic of school board discussion on Tuesday, May 14.
A discussion-only workshop is set for 3:30 p.m., followed by a regular board meeting Tuesday at district headquarters, 1928 North Main St. A period for public comment is provided.
Trustees in April had a first look at the coming fiscal year budget and ways the district can close a forecast deficit in the school district’s operating costs.
No action will be taken during the budget’s discussion, which is set to be adopted on June 11 after a public hearing.
Property value information will be available in late July, and the school tax rate will be adopted at the board’s August meeting.
School districts across the state are dealing with deficits due to reduced overall funding coupled with inflation, with many reducing expenses by cutting staff and deferring facilities maintenance work.
Many factors go into the budget calculations, according to Superintendent Larry Berger.
In Pearland, for example, a decrease in enrollment from 21,237 to 20,915 is expected to impact the district’s revenues to the tune of $1.2 million.
Meanwhile, property values in Pearland ISD have continued to increase, which is a double-edged sword, Berger said, since increases in value mean fewer families can afford starter homes in the district.
“It does help us with tax collection and funding we get from local property values, but it does hurt enrollment and people moving into Pearland,” he said.
