AISD Property Tax Increase Possible?

After layoffs and the threat of school closures, AISD is looking to shore up the precarious 2012-2013 budget. Along with many other money-saving measures, the Trustees have been discussing raising property taxes 9 cents per $100 of assessed property value.

Despite the news that school closures would not happen (for now) and the opening of the rainy day fund, the budget is still a huge concern. At the Board Meeting on March 28th, Superintendent Carstarphen stated, "We now face the possibility of making a one-time Fund Balance draw-down of $43 million to balance the budget for FY 2012.  Since a one-time Fund Balance draw-down of this size will not be available again next year, we will need to find approximately $43 million in additional budget reductions in order to balance the budget in FY 2012."

The next Regular Meeting of the Austin School District Board of Trustees will be on Monday, April 25. Community members will have the opportunity to discuss the tax increase along with other budget concerns.