In Light of Budget Shortfall, Dallas ISD Trustees’ Resolution to “Make Education a Priority”

Earlier this afternoon, over on the DISD Blog, Matthew Haag posted a memo Dallas Independent School District sent to district employees Friday, in which the super warned: The state’s mammoth budget shortfall could result in “a staggering $180-$200 million” being excised from the district’s budget during the next two years. And since 85 percent of the DISD’s budget goes toward personnel, that could mean a significant reduction in payroll. “Things do not look good,” wrote Hinojosa.

That sentiment is echoed in a resolution the trustees will sign and adopt at their board meeting on Thursday: “Make Education a Priority.” (I know, I know.) An excerpt:

Whereas, the current Texas public school finance system is negatively affecting an
increasing number of public school districts; and

Whereas, past diligent legislative efforts to address the state’s method of adequately
and equitably funding Texas schools has fallen short of broad measured success; and

Whereas, the legislative year of 2011 bears the attributes of repeating the 2009
legislative session’s lack of reliable funding improvements …

Resolve to read the rest on the other side.

Resolution of Acknowledgement