AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Texas lawmakers are looking at a multi-billion dollar deficit for education, even with their rainy day fund. All across the state, programs and personnel are being cut. But local districts like Amarillo and Canyon should be able to side step those cuts, at least for now.
Even with tight purse strings on the state's budget conservative approaches and fiscal responsibility are taking districts like Amarillo and Canyon out of the cross hairs.
"We are in good shape in relative position to other districts. A number of districts are having to go through things like budget cutting process and eliminate stuff. So far, we have not needed to do that because we've been doing it all along. Budgeting conservatively, is really keeping us in a decent place of course, we're worried about money, but at least we've got a head start and we're not having to make those cuts that other districts across the state are having to make," said Rod Schroder AISD Superintendent.
But that doesn't mean any district is out of the woods. They've got to see what the Texas Education Agency proposed and it could cut programs that districts would have to cut or come up with their own funding.
"We are waiting to see what happens with the state and the TEA, but of course, nothing is set in stone but we don't expect to cut any existing positions, which we're thankful about that," said Christy Bertolino CISD Spokeswoman.
"Basically, you prioritize. You've got so many dollars and so many services you need to provide. So what's the right important service? How much do we have to shift to avoid and to cover what we need," said Schroder.
The TEA is proposing program and grant cuts totaling $135 million.
