SMSD Budget Includes Surplus And Cuts Taxes

The Stafford Municipal School District Board of Trustees and Stafford City Council approved the SMSD 2010-11 Budget at the Joint Budget Meeting and Public Hearing, with a unanimous vote of 13 to 0.  As the only municipal school district in Texas, SMSD must receive an approval from a combination of votes cast jointly from the SMSD School Board and Stafford City Council. 

The unanimous vote followed a budget presentation by Superintendent H.D. Chambers and board and council comments of appreciation for teachers, campus administrators, and staff for their efforts in providing education to SMSD students and managing district funds in an “efficient and effective manner.”

Chief Financial Officer Lucas Janda spearheaded with Chambers the $28 million budget that includes a raise for all employees, an estimated “Robin Hood” payment to the state of $2.3 million, full funding for the continuation of all academic and extra-curricular programs, new funding for new academic programs such as a new Pharmacy Technician Certification program at Stafford High School and a new Dual Language Classes (Vietnamese and Chinese) at Stafford Primary. 

The budget also includes a surplus to be dedicated to building the district’s fund balance, or savings account.  While the official tax rate will not be considered or approved until September, SMSD will be proposing a total tax rate of $1.11 per $100 valuation.  This 12 cent, or 10 percent, reduction compares to last year’s $1.23 tax rate.

“Considering the extremely difficult economic times every sector of our economy is experiencing and the fact that many districts across the region and state are forced to make significant budget reductions in order to balance their budgets, I am proud that we are able to continue funding effective student and professional programs; implement new quality student and staff programs; reduce the tax burden on our tax payers; and ultimately make an investment in our ‘rainy-day fund account,’ all in one year, “said Chambers.

SMSD has benefitted from the three-year trend of significant increases in student enrollment, through additional state per student funding and a lowering of the amount of Robin Hood payments to the state.  Compared to the beginning of the 2009 school year’s enrollment of 3,043, the 2010 enrollment has increased by 6 percent to 3,218.  When compared to the enrollment figures in 2008, the increase jumps to 10 percent. 

“Student enrollment growth is critical to a district’s revenue stream from year to year,” said Chambers.  “Since 2006-07, the only way for school districts to generate additional revenue is through student enrollment increases or with a Tax Ratification Election that essentially has a district asking their voters to approve a higher Maintenance and Operations tax rate.”

The district expects the TEA “Recognized” rating for the district in 2010 to help continue the trend of increasing enrollment.

“The entire SMSD staff works hard to provide a quality and relevant education to our students,” said Chambers. “This, along with the student performance ratings and the small school environment, I believe, are appealing to parents with school-aged children.  While I understand the impact the of the TAKS accountability ratings on the community, we keep reminding families and our community there is more to evaluating  successful students, effective campuses and districts than the ratings”.

The SMSD Board and Stafford City Council will consider the 2011 maintenance and operations and debt service tax rates on Sept. 16 at the Stafford City Hall, 2610 South Main St.  The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. and include a public hearing.