MISD issues budget statement
Apr. 4—Midland ISD would like to offer the following statement related to the budget efficiencies it has been anticipating since 2019.
As a result of no increase to the basic allotment since 2019, record inflation, and the expiration of the Formula Transition Grant and ESSER funding, Midland ISD continues to refine its budget and look for cost-saving strategies and efficiencies to reduce its deficit. The district has been preparing for these changes since 2019.
Now in its second round of efficiencies this week, the district will collapse twenty-eight positions for the upcoming fiscal year, all of which are central office-based. The district's goal is to keep these efficiencies as far removed from students and direct instruction as possible. MISD believes in transparent communication and wants to ensure employees have sufficient notice of these changes. These employees will continue to be employed by MISD and receive benefits through their current year contract obligations and are encouraged to apply for open positions available in the district for which they are qualified.
In addition, vacant positions that have remained unfilled will also be collapsed. All essential work will be redistributed among the remaining department positions to ensure continuity of operations. Finally, a long-term implementation strategy is to adjust work calendars to better align position assignments and needs of the district. This adjustment will not impact current employees at this time.
Thoughtful and systematic decisions were made in determining which positions to absorb for the upcoming fiscal year and included an evaluation of roles and responsibilities that could be combined and positions affiliated with programming that is changing. Additionally, on an annual basis, in preparation for the upcoming fiscal year, districts review course selections, projected enrollment, boundary changes, and programming to determine staffing needs throughout the district.
In its first round of efficiencies, which took place in January, combined with this week's round two decisions, when factoring in personnel and non-payroll related savings, the district stands at approximately a $17 million deficit.
The district will continue to refine its budget to ensure it is as efficient and effective as possible while maintaining strong academics and continuing to offer co/extra curricular programming at high levels for its students.
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