HISD could close four schools

Due to budget cuts

Marci Gilbert, Mar 15, 11.

Last week, the Houston Independent School District trustees approved steep budget cuts to try to eliminate a chunk of its projected shortfall, according to a story in the Houston Business Journal. The board also recommended the closure of four schools.

The largest cut was made to the formula for per-student funding which was sliced by 8 percent to $3,260 per student, a drop of $275. Individual schools will have to decide what programs or jobs to cut to make up for the difference.

A vote on a final budget is not expected until the summer, but if any jobs are to be cut, an April 18 deadline must be met for notifying affected contract employees.

Trustees approved a move to consider closing Grimes, Love, McDade, and Rhoads elementary schools, a plan that could save HISD about $1.7 million.

Source: Houston Business Journal