Budget cuts on agenda for Houston ISD board meeting Thursday

In this August 2017 file photo, Houston ISD Trustee Rhonda Skillern-Jones speaks with then-board President Wanda Adams during a press conference to talk about the possibility of a state board takeover due to chronically failing schools. less In this August 2017 file photo, Houston ISD Trustee Rhonda Skillern-Jones speaks with then-board President Wanda Adams during a press conference to talk about the possibility of a state board takeover due to ... more Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Budget cuts on agenda for Houston ISD board meeting Thursday 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Houston ISD officials are expected to present more details Thursday on the district's plans for combating a projected shortfall of more than $200 million next school year, according to a newly released agenda.

The district is proposing across-the-board cuts as it stares down a second consecutive year of potentially large deficits, largely brought on by an increase in the district's "recapture" payment to the state. "Recapture" is the state's process for shifting local tax revenue from property-wealthy districts, even those with many poor students, to districts with less property value.

HISD administrators are proposing cuts of $92.8 million, or 9.2 percent, from their budget for campus operations, which includes staff salaries and instructional costs. The remaining $116 million would come from cuts to facilities maintenance, administrative staff and central operations, among other areas. Broad outlines of the reductions have been presented, but few specific details have been presented to date.

The budget gap could be closed further if the district wins an ongoing school finance lawsuit, potentially freeing up $60 million. Houston ISD is also basing its projections on a 3.2 percent decrease in property values due to Hurricane Harvey, but it will likely be months before values are finalized.

The agenda doesn't include any specific reference to consideration of the district's plans to revamp 15 low-performing schools, though the topic could still come up. Administrators previously said they expected to present additional details about the proposed changes on Thursday.

The meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 W. 18th St.