ÁùºÏ±¦µä

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: Noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15.

Where: Baker Center, 3908 Avenue B.

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 .

Childcare, refreshments and interpretation services will be provided. 

For more information about the community meetings, please email community@austinisd.org or call 512-414-9706.