McKinney ISD budget bigger than last year

The 2012-13 school year got off to a good start in McKinney last week, even amid less state education funding.

Following a 130-position reduction in force last year, there were no positions cut this year. In fact, most teachers are getting a $1,000 raise, and other McKinney ISD employees are receiving up to a 2 percent pay hike.

Earlier this summer, the McKinney ISD board approved a $176.5 million budget, about $2.5 million more than last year's budget and a 1.5 percent increase largely due to the pay raises.

Many of the 130 positions cut last year were for administrators and support staff, though some teaching positions were eliminated. No teaching positions were cut from this year's budget.

A total of 24,315 students enrolled last week at McKinney ISD's three high schools, five middle schools, 20 elementary schools and three learning centers. That number is expected to increase within the next few weeks to surpass last year's enrollment of 24,681 students.

Typically, new students are added each day for the first three to four weeks of a new school year, according to a spokesperson at the school administration office.

With McKinney ISD's population growing in proportion to Collin County's growth, several construction projects, funded by the bond package approved in May 2011, are now under way to make room for the expected increase.

McKinney ISD Superintendent J.D. Kennedy said the additional funds to meet this year's budget will come from the school district's fund balance, so to avoid increasing the tax rate.

"Legally, we are taxing at our maximum rate without going to the voters for a TRE (Tax Ratification Election)," Kennedy said.

He noted that many in the school district live in homes that qualify for a 15 percent homestead exemption, and that taxes of residents 65 and older are frozen.

"We are hoping that the upcoming legislature will address the financial challenges that all school districts across the state face," he said.

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