Power Up Your Community
Local tax dollars are invested to strengthen our schools and elevate student success.
Just like a fitness routine starts with a warm-up, the budgeting process for Alief ISD begins with preparing and approving its financial plan long before it is finally approved.
Operating on a fiscal year that starts on September 1, the district ensures its budget is adopted by August 30. The 2023-2024 budget, featuring a 1.28% increase from the previous year, is set to support the district’s operational needs.
Property values in the district are projected to rise by 5.38% this year. However, flexibility in funding is key because any increase in local revenue caused by higher property values will result in a decrease in state funding. That’s the kicker with Texas school finance. With average property taxes around $1,512 on homes valued at $153,252 (average taxable home value), the district ensures a stable fiscal base without putting undue strain on taxpayers. Rising property values do not result in more funding for local schools.
Alief ISD’s 2023-24 Revenues
Local Funding 35%
$157,305,706
Local revenue, including taxes and other sources, forms about 35% of the general operating budget. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, local funds flexed up to $157,305,706, showcasing community investment in education.
State Funding 61%
$278,323,924
State funding contributes approximately 61% to the district's revenue. For the 2023-24 budget, the expected intake from the state is a robust $278,323,924, helping sustain the district's long-term educational goals.
Federal Funding 4%
$18,085,000
While not the main driver, federal funding adds a quick cardio boost by providing about 4% of the total revenue, primarily through programs linked to special education. This year, the anticipated federal contribution is $18,085,000.
Alief ISD’s Expenditures
Just as every step in a fitness program is purposeful, every penny in Alief ISD’s budget is strategically allocated to ensure the district remains robust and responsive to the needs of our students and community.
Alief ISD’s operating budget expenditures for 2023-2024 are $453.7 million. Each dollar is an investment in the future, strengthening the diverse and dynamic programs that empower our students.
The core of the district’s financial health is its labor costs, absorbing about 86% of the budget. This substantial allocation covers salaries and benefits, emphasizing the district’s commitment to maintaining a strong and healthy workforce.
Let’s examine how a single dollar is broken up to support the operating budget.
Forecasting the Future
2024-25 Budget
With enrollment projected to drop to 38,740, the district is facing a tighter budget in 2024-2025.
This challenge is further compounded as over $9.7 million in federal ESSER grants are set to expire. Projects previously supported by these grants will now be integrated into the general operating budget.
What’s the plan?
The district is implementing a mix of strategies to flex its budgetary muscle. These include other identified program needs that will increase expenses, alongside savvy financial maneuvers, all aimed at trimming expenses. Despite these efforts, special education needs are on the rise, adding another weight to the budget barbell.
The result?
Alief ISD is currently staring down a $4 million deficit in the 2024-25 budget, with expenditures expected to outpace revenues. This will require the district to dip into its General Fund Balance to make up the difference.
Timeline for Budget Adoption
Game Recognize Game
Alief Financial Accolades
In Alief ISD, there is a track record of fiscal accountability and recognition!
Known for its financial health, Alief ISD consistently racks up accolades. With prestigious awards like the Platinum Leadership Circle Award for Transparency and the ASBO Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting—an honor it’s clinched for an impressive 35 consecutive years—it’s clear Alief ISD is not just playing games.
One of the best fiscal flexes is the the district’s performance on the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST), where Alief ISD has snagged the top rating, “Superior Achievement,” every year since the system’s inception. That’s over 20 years!
This isn’t just a high score; it’s a testament to their mastery in managing the complex maze of Texas’ school finance system efficiently and effectively.
Alief ISD has earned the ASBO Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting every year that Taylor Swift has been alive!
Are you renting your home in the Alief ISD area?
School finance is important to everyone in the lineup.
As a renter, you might not see an official tax breakdown from the Harris County Appraisal District, but make no mistake: you’re contributing to the district’s financial health just as much as a homeowner.
Even though you’re not directly billed, a slice of your monthly rent goes towards the property taxes owed by your landlord. This means that with every rent payment, you’re helping fund vital community services and schools.
Wondering how you can have more of a say in how these funds are used?
Flex your civic muscles! Registering to vote and participating in local, state, and national elections is your chance to influence decisions that affect your schools and your community.
Playing Your Part in Fiscal Fitness
With a significant slice of Alief ISD’s budget powered by local taxes, let’s explore the Local Tax Rate and its dynamic history.