Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
San Elizario ISD trustees press for details as projected deficit widens to $7 million
Summary
Trustees questioned why employee health contributions fell from about $680 to $350 per month and why projected deficit increased from $4 million to $7 million; finance staff said projections are changing and agreed to provide a detailed reconciliation at the next meeting.
Trustees at the San Elizario Independent School District on June 10 pressed administration for a clearer accounting after a budget workshop showed the district's projected deficit had widened to about $7 million.
"Why is the district not able to sustain a $350.00 monthly contribution for employee health insurance when the district used to contribute approximately $680.00 per month per employee?" Trustee Eduardo Chavez asked during the budget presentation. Ms. Elizabeth Perez, who presented the budget projections, replied that "these are projections and are changing continuously" and agreed to provide a report highlighting the differences and changes for the next board meeting.
Trustees also asked about a separate $1.3 million insurance deficit and whether it is included in the $7 million figure; Ms. Perez said the $1.3 million insurance deficit is not included in the $7 million projection. Board members discussed potential savings from vacant positions presented in the draft and were told that closing those positions would be a board decision if the current projected budget is approved.
The budget workshop, led by Ms. Perez and Ms. Gina Ramirez, included discussion of a proposed compensation plan and interim pay recommendations that staff said were developed because restructuring required employees to assume interim roles. Trustee Eduardo Chavez asked staff to bring prior requests and a clearer accounting of assumptions to the next meeting so trustees can evaluate recommendations in light of district sustainability.
