I know the challenges of our limited funding and budget, and I have worked for ten years to support EISD as we navigate the lack of state funding. Over the last decade, we have only had two adjustments to the basic allotment - 2015 & 2019.
Not only do I have a proven track record of understanding and managing budgets - I have even planned and managed a budget for Eanes that worked to support and supplement the deficits in our EISD budget due to insufficient state funding.
Did you know when I was on the Booster Club board for 2 years we invested over $100,000 in capital projects on our campus? Booster clubs work with the district to provide financial relief on facility, program and supply costs so that we can have more funds in the district budget allocated to salaries. It would be safe to say over the 7 years my family spent at Cedar Creek, we as a booster club through fundraising, event revenue, in kind donations and corporate sponsorships offloaded close to a million dollars in student enrichment & activities, classroom supplies, furnishings, building remodeling, safety enhancements, robotics, sound system upgrades, playground upgrades, outdoor classrooms and so much more!
As a club president in Eanes, you sit on the Presidents Council. That means the band booster club, the athletic booster clubs, the Chaps club, EEF and the individual campus clubs/PTOs all meet throughout the year in partnership with the district. Chris Scott, our Chief Financial Officer, does a presentation to breakdown the EISD budget for us. His resounding message year after year is the less facilities cost we have as a district, the more funds for salaries we will have. The many EISD PTOs and booster clubs act as the non-profit partners of the district to alleviate costs on our campuses or within our programs to support the district to allocate 85% of the Maintenance and Operations budget to salaries. I have been hard at work for the past ten years to support our district in this partnership.
I am all in and I'm completely invested in supporting our districts limited budget with fundraising and financial support, which is evidenced by the commitment of my time and treasure. (Now, this Legal Nurse will submit exhibits!)
Exhibit A: I support our lack of state funding by a yearly Leadership Society donation to EEF. I share my passion for funding our schools to inspire other families to do the same. I encourage and support the use of the Endowment Fund to further add sustainability to this foundation.
Exhibit B: I support keeping 85% of our Maintenance and Operations budget dedicated to paying salaries through uniting our parents in support for local campus and club fundraising and projects.
Exhibit C: I support the individual needs of our students by educating our community on bonds - how they work, what they include, why they benefit every person in some way. And how they AGAIN off load facility costs to keep 85% for salaries.
This business owner, multi-term board president and all around Eanes enthusiast KNOWS the EISD budget. I know the challenges and I have worked to be part of the solution for 10 years.
More importantly, I do everything I can to make sure that even if the state won't fund our schools - I WILL find a way to fund what we need to keep our programs excellent, meet the needs of our students and support our staff.
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