Skip To Main Content

WCS Budget Proposal

Published April 1, 2010

The Williamson County Board of Education adopted a budget for the 2010-2011 school year at a special called meeting March 29. The Board voted to approve a General Purpose Budget of $220,042,863 for the operation of 37 existing schools and three new schools.

Guidelines for the school district budget were given by the Williamson County Commission, which funds the school district budget. Guidelines were to produce a budget which reflected no raises for district personnel and no new positions other than for growth. Also included is an increase in medical and retirement benefits mandated by state and county requirements.

According to district leaders, expenditures for a "status quo" budget could have amounted to an additional $13 million, but several steps were taken to reduce costs in a way that would maintain the integrity of the district's instructional programs.

Those steps include eliminating 16 district-wide professional and support positions, slightly raising the Pupil Teacher Ratio at middle and high schools, and making a significant cut in the amount of site-based funds individual schools receive and how those funds are used.

Eighty-five percent of the budget represents salaries and benefits. The remainder is in operational costs.

When it comes to funding the budget, 97 percent of the money is derived from three sources: local property taxes, local sales taxes and state funds. The additional three percent comes from federal sources, other charges for services and minor local revenues.

Due to the county's current economic situation, local revenue generation is far less than in years past. At this time, district leaders say they will need the equivalent of $9.2 million in additional revenue from the county. This equates to 15 cents in property tax revenue if the County Commission chooses this revenue source to fund the budget. Because the district's budget adoption process begins so early, revenues will be adjusted throughout the process as more information becomes available.

Williamson County Schools Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney believes those involved in the budget process and those affected by it understand the county's tough economic situation.

"This is a very tight, fiscally conservative budget," said Looney. "However I believe this is a budget that will meet the needs of our students and accomplish the goals of the district. I'm proud of the School Board for holding the line but at the same time we can't sustain our present level of performance long-term if we have more years like this."

In addition to the $220,042,863 general purpose budget, the Board of Education also adopted a central cafeteria budget of $9,106,679; an extended school program budget of $1,077,026; and a capital outlay request of $6,839,119.

The proposed budgets will now go before the Williamson County Education and Budget Committees.

UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES

  • April 12 - Joint meeting of the Education and Budget meeting
  • April 26 -Second meeting with Education Committee
  • May 13 -Second meeting with Budget Committee
  • June 8 - Public Hearing on the entire County Budget for 2010-2011
  • July 12 -Approval of the entire Williamson County Government 2010-2011 Budget