Northside to propose $44 million in cuts

Northside Independent School District administrators are expected to recommend cutting a total of $44 million in spending through the next budget year.

The Board of Trustees will hear the recommendations at tonight's meeting, which are expected to include eliminating nearly 200 vacant positions and asking each department to cut by 5 percent.

Of the proposed cuts, about $14 million may come during the current school year. The district could eliminate another $30 million from the 2011-12 budget.

Superintendent John Folks said the cost-saving recommendations are a result of the predicted cuts to state education funding of between 5 and 10 percent that may occur as a result of the state's revenue shortfall.

The board may vote on the amendments to this year's budget on Feb. 22, though Folks said he has already begun taking these measures administratively.

The following are proposed reductions in this school year's budget:

Eliminating 192 vacant positions. That includes the job of executive director of Information and Infrastructure Services, a cabinet-level position, and dozens of administration and central office positions, for a savings of $6.3 million.

Asking each department to trim 5 percent from department budgets.

Asking campuses to cut supply accounts by 5 percent.

Reducing the workers compensation budget by $1 million.

Cutting $500,000 from supplemental pay.

Beginning to charge tuition for summer school at elementary and middle schools, for a savings of $500,000.