We have warned readers to NEVER MISS A FRIDAY EMAIL, and this is still so true in the land of not-so-transparent Spring Branch ISD.
Here’s how it rolls:
- Drop a Friday email
- Announce a board meeting for Monday
- Make sure there’s no public comment for the board meeting by only including Executive Session
Friday, 2/16 2:30 Email
Lot of numbers, lot of blaming, and some accepting of responsibility for budgeting, under Chris Earnest’s leadership as board president and Lisa Alpe’s leadership as vice president, the use of $36.5M in fund balance for the 2023-2024 school year.
And then this is how they magically get to $35M in cuts:
- $12.4M to close 6 schools/programs
- $16.83M to cut central office
- $5.75M to cut campus budgets
We don’t know much about the details. We do know that:
- There will be no librarians in SBISD
- Only Title I counselors will remain
Friday, 2/16 5:30 Email
SBISD Board of Trustees will host a Special Meeting that includes opening remarks by the superintendent and executive session (in the mysterious backroom?).
There will be no public comment. So, if you thought your values, priorities, or opinions mattered to this board, they don’t. They announce $22.55M in cuts to staff (as far as we can tell), but don’t let anyone have a voice before or after the announcements.
If you are as angry as we are, then make sure you show up and speak at the next meeting that DOES have public comment.
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