District’s financial planning garners recognition, achieves savings for taxpayers
AUSTIN, Texas—ÁùºÏ±¦µä invites families and staff and community members to learn more about ÁùºÏ±¦µä's 2014-15 preliminary budget and the district’s strategic investment in priorities, projected shortfalls and long-range financial planning.
What: Nicole Conley, chief financial officer, and the district’s budget team will provide information about ´¡±õ³§¶Ù’s preliminary budget and will be available to answer questions about the district’s finances.
When: from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 9.
Where: McCallum High School, cafeteria, 5600 Sunshine Drive.
Background: Despite recent budget constraints, ÁùºÏ±¦µä has maintained the second lowest overall property tax rates in the ÁùºÏ±¦µä area for school districts. ÁùºÏ±¦µä has been recognized for using sound fiscal management practices and prudently allocating its resources, while remaining committed to developing a budget focused on students’ needs.
ÁùºÏ±¦µä has earned the Aaa debt rating from Moody’s Investors Service, AA+ from Standard & Poor’s, and AA from Fitch Ratings, which are among the highest ratings a Texas public school can earn from these agencies. This has resulted in millions of dollars worth of savings for the district’s bond program and ÁùºÏ±¦µä taxpayers.
The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts also has awarded ÁùºÏ±¦µä with a Leadership Circle Award for budget transparency, for the fifth consecutive year.
In preparation for the community budget conversation, ÁùºÏ±¦µä has developed informational materials for community members to learn more about the district’s budget and the role of ÁùºÏ±¦µä and school communities to inform and shape the district’s financial future:
- ´¡±õ³§¶Ù’s for 2014-15
- the district’s annual budget process and , including the scheduled board action for next year’s budget, and
- the services ÁùºÏ±¦µä provides based on .
Services Available at Meeting: Childcare, refreshments and interpretation services will be provided.
Community Contact: For more information about the community meetings, please email community@austinisd.org or call 512-414-9706.