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Adam Zuvanich/Houston Public Media
Pictured is a sign outside the headquarters for Cy-Fair ISD on Sept. 10, 2024, in Cypress, Texas.
Cy-Fair ISD has reinstated its bus routes for all students as part of a $1.2 billion operating budget approved by the school board Monday night.
The Houston-area school district, among the largest in Texas with nearly 120,000 students, terminated several bus routes last year as a cost-saving measure. Bus service was not available to elementary students living within 1 mile of their campuses, or to middle school and high school students residing within 2 miles of their campuses.
Cutting back on transportation services prompted pushback from Cy-Fair ISD families as multiple students last year were struck by vehicles while walking or riding bikes to school.
“I’m so happy and relieved to know that bus transportation is going to be reinstated,” board member Christine Kalmbach said during Monday’s meeting.
The budget for the 2025-26 school year passed 6-0, with board Vice President Natalie Blasingame abstaining. It also includes raises for teachers and staff.
Teachers with five or more years of experience will receive a raise of $5,000, while teachers with three to four years of experience will receive a $2,500 raise. The new starting salary for teachers was also increased to $65,000. All other employees will receive a salary increase of “greater of midpoint or base of 4%.”
Despite fewer cuts than last year, next year’s budget will still have an estimated $45 million deficit.
“The budget we have this time is not as drastic of a cut,” Kalmbach said. “… The [general fund] balance continues to drop, and because of that, we’ll have to make some very hard decisions in these next two years of how we’re going to pay for everything.”
The $8.2 billion school funding package passed by the Texas lawmakers last month will contribute an additional $62 million to Cy-Fair ISD’s budget. Board Secretary Justin Ray said this increase will help as the district continues to work at addressing the deficit.
“We’re glad for any increase of public school funding, and even though this amount falls short of filling our budget gap, it does keep us going,” Ray said. “It allows us to keep the lights on for a little bit longer.”
Despite the raises, the new budget does not address previous cuts to library staff, which saw a reduction from 92 campus librarians to 42 district librarians as part of last year’s budget. Without enough librarians for each campus, the district rotates the remaining library staff between schools.
Cy-Fair resident Jennifer Lorenz voiced her appreciation for the raises during the board meeting but also said the role of librarians should not be overlooked.
“Budgets are value statements, and I would posture that a librarian in every single school is an essential service,” Lorenz said. “We want and need trained librarians for our young citizens today and for who they will be as adults. We urge you to think again about prioritizing librarians in every single school.”
Another point brought up by several public speakers was the salaries for paraprofessionals, such as teachers’ aids. Many residents and staff said the 4% increase was not enough.
Taylor Gibson, a paraprofessional at Cy-Fair ISD, addressed the board and said the raise did not reflect the work done by her and her colleagues.
“I work one-on-one with a child who is paralyzed from the waist down, who has frequent seizures,” she said. “We are responsible for children’s safety, dignity, survival, yet we are paid like we are optional. … We need more than 4%, we need respect, and that starts with fair pay.”
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