Print Version
E-mail This StoryThe Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD will operate at a $13.1 million deficit for the 2008-2009 school year.
The board of trustees unanimously approved the 2008-2009 budget and a tax rate of $1.04 per $100 valuation at a meeting Thursday evening. No residents attended a public hearing at the meeting.
The district’s general fund revenue is $225.1 million while expenditures are $238.5 million. The district’s tax rate of $1.04 remains unchanged from last year, which will bring in $155.8 million in revenue.
The board considered increasing the tax rate, which would have required a rollback election, but ultimately decided against it because of their “rainy day” fund. The shortfall will be taken from the fund balance.
“Thanks to the superintendent and board for their foresight by saving in the past for this rainy day,” said Bonnie Halsey, executive director for finance.
Throughout the budget discussions, board member Frank Shor has voiced his concerns on what will happen in the 2009-2010 school year.
“I don’t want to be the board member who cried wolf, but I do want to be the board member who called it the way it was,” he said. “(Raising taxes) is coming for next year. I think you’re naïve not to talk about it.”
The administration also recommended the cancellation of two employee programs at the meeting. The board unanimously voted to discontinue the Alternate Plan from the benefit package effective Jan. 1, 2009. However, they decided further information was needed before deciding whether or not to cancel the Employee Assistance Plan (EAP.)
“This is in conjunction with two major issues going on in our school district,” said Mark Hyatt, assistant superintendent of support services. “The new insurance plan TRS ….and the budget. The incentive is purely financial and for budget reasons.”
Earlier this year, the board approved a switch from the district’s current self-funded plan to the statewide health coverage program, TRS-ActiveCare.
The Alternate Plan consisted of $40,000 life insurance and district paid dental for the employee. This plan did not contain medical coverage and is for employees who were covered by another medical plan. Employees who do not elect medical coverage under TRS-ActiveCare will have $20,000 life insurance and will have to pay for their own dental coverage. The district will save $212,340 by eliminating this plan.
The EAP is currently made available to all employees, who are eligible for benefits, and their dependents. The program provides six free visits per incident, per calendar year, to assist participants in resolving a broad range of personal problems that can affect emotional health, family life and work life. The annual cost of the EAP is approximately $70,000.
“The data I saw is the utilization rate is pretty high n seven to 10 percent,” said board president John Tepper, voicing concern about eliminating the EAP.
Board member Howard Fisher suggested the administration should come back with various options on the EAP at a future meeting.
