Legislators Need to Move on Public School Funding

This report is being supported by Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (A Leo A. Daly Company).  LAN, Inc. has proven work in planning, pre-construction, construction, and post-construction phases.  LAN, Inc. can lower your construction costs, lower your utility costs, and provide revenue for your operational costs.  LAN is the leader in Program Management for facility planning, construction, and renovation.

Legislators Must Move Faster on the Issue of Public Education Funding

More and more individuals, school employees, and Legislators are calling for more work on the state budget to identify areas that will minimize the “depletion” of state funds for public schools.  While school districts scramble to develop plans to handle the reduction of state funds, it is apparent that the range of “reduction” is so great that there may not be enough scenarios to prepare properly.   The Texas Legislative Branch must put public school funding as a priority so that the approximately 1100 school districts can plan and prepare for the more than 5.1 million students that will attend public schools in August 2011.  The “unknown” in the amount of reduction is worse than the actual amount of reduction itself.  The sooner school districts know the state’s appropriation for public education, the sooner school districts can plan accordingly, improve efficiency, maximize current operations, identify additional funding sources, and move ahead with direction and clarity. 

While school administrators and school organizations raise the awareness of expected reductions in state aid, there must also be a sense of urgency to finalize the amount of reductions quickly.  School District budgets take time to develop, review, and adopt.  Delayed Legislative action will only create additional uncertainty.

The State must move Legislative discussions and action on Public Education Funding to the priority list!

Utility Costs

School districts have large utility costs that are associated with the daily operations of school buildings.  Now is the time to review your energy saving procedures and policies to determine if energy efficient renovations need to be performed on school owned structures.  While there is a cost associated with renovations, the potential savings in energy costs will be needed in the future. 

Before a Reduction in Staff

Instead of furloughs, cuts, and/or changing contracts for public school employees, some school districts are reviewing options to reduce obligations to employee salary and benefits:

School districts are identifying savings:

Through a reduction in their portion of health insurance payments

Through reductions and/or elimination of stipends

Through reductions in reimbursed meals and travel

Through limits in approved overtime hours

Through reducing “Contracted Services” budgets

Through refinancing Debt

Thought

The Power of One is amazing.  One thought can lead to one action which can change the world.