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United ISD trustees approve budget amendment; district leaders say $4 million increase funds planned instructional programs
Summary
The board approved budget amendments including a roughly $4 million increase for instructional programs and workbooks; district staff said the purchases were planned, many funded previously through ESSER, and that staff will present usage and evaluation reports in an April workshop.
United Independent School District trustees on the March meeting approved a budget amendment that reallocates reserved funds and includes about a $4 million increase for instructional programs and workbooks already planned for the 2024–25 school year.
Associate Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Amalisa told the board the additional funds were not for unplanned software purchases. “This is not the case. This is the software that was planned for the whole entire year,” she said, adding that the programs are embedded in the district’s scope and sequence and support instruction across grade levels and subjects.
Chief Financial Officer Sam Flores explained the mechanics of the change: the district had $8.5 million in a fund balance reserve coming from county revenue that is limited to debt paydown or facility renovation; trustees approved using that stream to pay down debt tied to the 2025 maintenance tax notes and, in doing so, freed $8.5 million of previously budgeted general‑fund resources. Flores said the substitution reduces the effect on the district deficit by freeing previously allocated general‑fund dollars. He also reminded trustees the board previously approved a one‑time payment from fund balance, which still factors into the district’s deficit picture.
Amalisa told trustees the district is conducting surveys and collecting usage reports to evaluate instructional programs. She said a data evaluator is categorizing programs into those with direct student log‑in impact versus programs that support teacher planning and district instructional management. The district plans a full presentation on program usage, impact and evaluation at the April workshop.
Trustees asked for clarity about teacher input and performance metrics. Amalisa said last year’s teacher survey response rates were lower than desired and that the district re‑ran the survey this year with better participation; she said usage reports from vendors are another source of evidence and that not every vendor provides detailed usage metrics.
The board approved the budget amendment after that explanation. Trustees directed staff to present detailed usage and evaluation data at the next workshop.
