After initially asking for $11 million in capital improvements for its 40- plus schools, the Williamson County Schools district will end up with $8 million to fix a myriad technology and maintenance issues on its campuses.
The Williamson County Commission cut the budget earlier this summer before final approval. The whole budget for schools totaled $322 million this year.
Here’s how that list breaks down:
Network Infrastructure – $1.9 million
Telephone/paging/intercom systems – $943,000
Classroom/student computers – $1.7 million
Video security – $280,000
Athletics – $260,000
Bleachers – $115,000
Curtains – $97,200
Flooring – $470,000
HVAC – $300,000
Playgrounds – $60,000
Plumbing – $306,000
Security – $736,000
Structural – $819,000
Some of the cuts in the $3 million came down to cuts in the technology budget. Nearly $642,000 was cut in the budget for Chromebooks. Another $360,000 was deducted from classroom projectors.
As far as campus security, officials had to deduct $300,000 for cameras requested by the schools. Other cuts came for athletic lighting across the district to tune of $476,600. More minor deductions appeared in the funds for structural fix ups to doors and windows across the district.
However, some school board members were hoping for more. Both District Four member Anne McGraw and District Six member Jay Galbreath both said they were frustrated with the process.
“We are appreciative of the commission for funding the operating budget, and we need them as partners to fund new schools and renovations for our continued growth,” Galbreath said. “But we also need to pay for the maintenance of our existing facilities, to replace our old technology, and provide new technology for growing population. The $3 million reduction of the capital request was arbitrary, and it seems to happens every year after we have already reduced our request to our immediate needs.”
McGraw said the process for doing better for next year starts now with parents and others advocating for state representatives and county commissioners to find some solutions.
“We know that our tax rate here is lower than any in the surrounding counties,” McGraw said. “We’re already getting a lot for a relatively little, and I’m frustrated that in the ‘wealthy’ county we have teachers who have to buy their own dry-erase markers or live with a broken projector. It makes me mad.
“I urge everyone to ask themselves this and then speak up: Are you tired of our schools being underfunded? It’s a two-fold problem and solution, to be sure. The state needs to step up their game with funding, and our own county needs to support our schools. No one is asking for ‘fluff’ in these budget requests. You will not find it, no matter how deeply you dive into the details.”
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