GPISD Budget Information

GPISD's Core Values

As we face current budget challenges, we are guided by four guiding principles:

  • Minimize the impact to students
  • Preserve jobs as much as possible
  • Move forward in a way that brings us closer together as a community
  • Set ourselves up for future success

Information Meeting Presentation - February 21, 2011

Information Meeting Presentation - February 28, 2011

Flier for Feb. 28 Information Meeting at SGPHS Performing Arts Theatre

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding GPISD's Budget Situation

The GPISD Board of Trustees has been preparing for the potential of a “catastrophic” occurrence in Texas school finance since 2007-2008. Here is a summary of some of the actions taken thus far by Trustees and administrators to reduce the impact on students and staff: 

  • In July 2008, GPISD retained the services of Gibson Consulting to identify key cost savings for the district. Some of these recommendations included changes to employee benefits, building staffing patterns, adjusting the teacher pay scale, changing the Worker’s Comp program to including a Return to Work Program (which realized a $300,000 savings in year one year). Another program cut which led to significant savings was eliminating a centralized supply warehouse
  • In 2008-2009, GPISD Board and staff focused on the “5 Plays.” Significant budget savings were realized when we focused only on the five most critical areas identified for student achievement. GPISD staff is focused on these five plays and all expenditures are aligned with them:

            -  Vertical and Horizontal Alignment of curriculum

 

           -  5 E instructional model

           -  Data driven decision making

           -  Relational Capacity

           -  Intentional leadership

  • In 2009-2010, GPISD rezoned and repurposed existing schools and facilities which included the closing of one campus (Houston Elementary School), and the district was able to realize savings in transportation and utilities for an estimated savings of $1.5M
  • Dr. Hull and Julie Spears, GPISD Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations visited with our employee Key Communicators group to help share information about the dire forecast for Texas School Finance in April 2010
  • GPISD adopted the “Make Education a Priority” resolution in December 2010
  • GPISD staff studied ways to save in all areas of the district. Budgets have been reduced by 10% in 2010-2011 in all departments and reduced expenditures by campus based on student enrollment. The Leadership Team met in November 2010 to discuss cost savings at the district, campus and personal level. The Youth Advisory Council met in January 2011 to discuss budget issues and created their own list of recommended saving
  • GPISD Partners in Education partnered with the local business community to promote excellent student and staff attendance in school. By promoting attendance GPISD will maximize the amount of WADA available to the district. By promoting staff attendance the substitute budget will decrease. At the close of the 2010-2011 school year GPISD hopes to realize a gain of $2m
  • In January 2011, GPISD Board of Trustees met in a budget work session to discuss possible cost savings, including the repurposing of a second small campus (Garner) and consolidating and/or eliminating some positions. No action was taken
  • On February 10, the GPISD Board of Trustees approved a resolution to declare the need for program change which would allow the district to eliminate, curtail or reorganize a curriculum offering program or school operation. After seeking Board input we have identified five areas for possible program change. They include:
         - General administration
         - Technology facilitators
         - Librarians
         - Gifted and Talented teachers
         - Special Education inclusion teachers
  • As we move forward this spring, we are anticipating staffing needs for 2011-2012 and have requested employees give a notice of intent to resign or retire. To that end we will offer early notification payment to staff who indicate they will not be returning to GPISD in 2011-2012. All staff who know they will not return for the 2011-2012 school year will receive a $200 payment. Retire/rehire staff who notifies GPISD by Friday, February 18, 2011, will receive a $10,000 payment. Staff with 30+ years and who are eligible to retire, who provide information of intent to retire by February 21, 2011, will receive a $10,000 payment
  • Dr. Hull scheduled a parent meeting at Garner Elementary to discuss possible repurposing on February 15, 2010. Parents were invited by letter on February 7, 2010
  • There will be an optional employee meeting on February 16, 2011, at 5:00 p.m. at the SGPHS Performing Arts Theatre. Dr. Hull will discuss the steps being taken by GPISD Board and staff to manage possible changes as a result of budget cuts at the state level
  • Stakeholder meetings to address budget issues will be held on February 21, 2011, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at Grand Prairie High School’s Chambers Auditorium and on February 28, 2011, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at South Grand Prairie High School’s Performing Arts Center
  • GPISD continues to communicate with State Representative Rodney Anderson about the needs of our students and staff