I’m hearing a lot about Tier 1 and Tier 2 budget reductions. What is the difference?
Keller ISD is facing a $38 million budget shortfall.
To address this, the Board of Trustees has said they will allow for $6 million to be taken out of the district’s fund balance, while the other $32 million must be made up with cuts to the District’s budget. Because it has been determined that a tax ratification election (TRE) could generate half of that for the district – $16 million – budget cuts were split into two categories, Tier 1 and Tier 2.
Cuts designated as “Tier 1” account for $16 million in reductions which are considered inevitable. These include severe cuts to operating budgets as well as reductions in personnel, and will take place before the next budget cycle.
Cuts designated as “Tier 2” account for $16 million in reductions that will be necessary in the event that a tax ratification election (TRE) is not passed. As of mid-April, this list was still being finalized but includes additional significant cuts to personnel which in turn will affect student-to-teacher ratios, fine arts and athletics offerings, extracurricular offerings, fewer course options, and greatly reduced staff support.
Should a TRE be approved by Keller ISD voters, all of Tier 2 cuts would not be necessary.
KISD's Board of Trustees will at no time "vote" on either tier of reductions, but will rather vote to adopt a budget that will reflect those changes and will vote on terminations of contracts to effectuate the budget cuts.
Click here for the latest list of Tier 1 and Tier 2 considerations.