AISD wants more input online

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Austin School District has launched an online survey to gain additional community input on the school district budget.

The survey follows closely on the heels of two community conversations that resulted in more than 300 people participating in exercises designed to give them a sense of the difficult decisions the Board of Trustees faces next year in developing the 2010 to 2011 school year budget.

"The district is facing a budget shortfall of $15 million for FY 2010 to 2011, just to cover normal operating expenses," said Chief Financial Officer Nicole Conley-Abram. "This deficit grows even larger when additional budget increases are considered for new instructional programming tied to the district's strategic plan and potential employee raises. The district is now contemplating various budget reduction proposals to assist in closing this budget gap. Therefore, the district would like to obtain your input and feedback to the proposals that are currently being considered."

The seven-question AISD budget survey can be found online.