Hot topics on a cold night draw parents Monday's Austin ISD school board meeting -- especially the possibility of a financial emergency at the district.
"We've tried to honor the boards budget parameters and not adversely affect the classrooms," said AISD Chief Financial Officer Nicole Conley-Abram.
Board members prepared to burn the candle at both ends, discussing a potential $20 million budget deficit.
"It's not necessarily a declaration of bankruptcy. It's not a negative blemish, but it's actually preemptive," said Conley-Abram.
The meeting was one of the first steps in taking control of what could be a problem.
"Tonight's a preliminary conversation, the superintendent is going to give her first impression," said AISD Board President Mark Williams. "She's been working really hard to do something faster than anyone before. She's presenting February 22nd a preliminary budget. What she's trying to do is get the board some perspective on what that looks like. Historically we haven't seen one since May or June."
One area that stands out is the potential elimination of 114 positions in the main administrative offices.
"Basically administrative, support positions so they're not really going to be in the classroom," said Williams.
The cuts could amount to $4.9 million in savings that could be used by individual schools.
"So campuses will receive those monies and they will have the opportunity to buy back those positions as part of their BTOs," said Conley-Abram.
The cuts could come by the spring.
The school board also discussed other ways to curb the budget problems, including paying back debts. But, even if the deficit is fixed, it's not the end of the road, according to Conley-Abram.
"When you look over the next two years, it's not getting any better," she said.
The next board meeting is set for February 22.
