Community Impact reports that in a special meeting on the 4th of April with trustees at Conroe ISD, a discussion got underway on the fiscal year ahead. Three new schools—Veterans Memorial Intermediate, Hines Elementary and Moorhead Junior High—including campus support for students and staff, and the hiring of more educators are among the Budget needs for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
District enrollment is expected to climb by 2,600 students in 2023-24, and according to information passed along at the meeting, the district does not have enough funding to give employee raises or retention stipends.
Fiscal Year 2023-24 expenditures are expected to rise by $48.35 million, which would increase the initial revenue budget of $623.30 million to $671.45 million.
Much of the increase is connected to increased personnel, $34.7 million. These funds will be allocated for the hiring of teachers and paraprofessionals, special education counselors, more bus drivers, instructional coaches and staffing for two new school facilities.
Salary increases or a teacher retention stipend is not included in the budget increase. Conroe ISD officials are waiting for the results of Senate Bill 9 and other moves from the Texas legislature to deal with those needs.
Senate Bill 9 provides an increase in salary of $2,000 for distircts with enrollments over 20,000 and $6,000 for those districts with enrollment below 20,000. Community Impact reported that the result of this is every district in the county with the exception of Conroe ISD would receive a $6,000 raise for teachers.
According to Superintendent Null, if the bill is approved and a salary increase is approved by the board out of their fund balance, it would result in a budget deficit.
Superintendent Null said, “We anticipate there to be a raise.” He added, “We’re just still waiting on Austin to give us the money to do it.”
