School tax election simplified (Posted 10/1/2009 11:39 am)
Editor's note: This is the first in a series of articles in October giving facts and information to Everman Independent School District voters before the November 3 tax election. Please join me on my journey in

examining just what it is the district needs voters to understaand prior to the vote.
The Everman ISD is in solid financial shape, according to state educational sources. This community and boards of trustees have provided students and employees a school district and financial resources to keep it running for more than 100 years.

During the 2005-2006 school year, Everman ISD paid for the construction of Dan Powell Intermediate School in cash, after saving for several years. During that school year, state law put a ceiling on local and state revenue per student. The ceiling has been in place ever since.

The 2005-2006 limit has been a growing concern for several reasons including the EISD rate of revenue per student at the time was near the fourth quartile in the state, near the lowest in Tarrant County and realizing costs have increased since then. This combination of low per student revenue and increasing costs has put growing pressure on the annual budget for the last five years.

During 2005-2006, the annual budget covered the purchase of two buses per year to keep the fleet current. The district replaced its oldest computers on a systematic basis and provide funding for major maintenance projects. The district made reasonable annual deposits in the fund balance for emergencies. Even with the low student revenue ceiling, the district was in good shape.

Each year from 2005-2006 until now, the district has cut operational costs in order to balance the budget.

Buses went first, replacement computers went next. Major roofing projects, heating/air conditioning equipment soon followed. These items were either deferred or taken from district emergency funds.

Finally, in 2009-2010, state law provided a small increase in revenue per student, but also required raises for teachers, counselors, librarians and nurses.

.+3While the district strongly supports raises for these educators, funding for equitable cost-of-living raises for all other school employees was not available from the state.

Since the school board believes support personnel are just as critical to the school day as certified personnel, they approved cost-of-living increases for this group as well.

Impact to the 2009-2010 budget was significant. Thanks to enrollment growth, the budget is balanced, but severely restricted in many areas. There are no funds for capital purchases: buses, computers, equipment, media/projectors, library books and furniture. Funds for travel, even for required board training, have been all but eliminated.

This budget does little more than meet payroll and pay for utilities, security and insurance.

The 2009-2010 budget is very tight, but sufficient to operate the school district as long as there are no emergencies, no break-downs, no weather related damage to buildings and no surprises.

Annual cost increases over the past five years have exceeded per student revenue. Everman ISD has allocated limited resources for maximum student academic gain. Test scores and highest campus ratings are evidence of that

The time has come for another plan of operation, as this one has reached its limits.
Candy McMichen is editor of the Everman Star and may be reached by e-mail at evermanstar@thestargroup.com.