Leander ISD Trustees are considering changing the start of the district’s fiscal year from Sept. 1 to July 1, which that would allow for more money on hand to support teachers at the beginning of school. The process would culminate in a change in 2020. The change does not result in any changes in the budget or tax rate processes.
Changing fiscal years in what may become Leander ISD’s first year as a “Robin Hood” or “recapture” school district, could have numerous advantages for the district, including:
- Provides teachers and campuses with access to their budget allocations prior to school starting.
- Performance on the State financial accountability system.
- Provides one-time increase in fund balance by forgoing certain costs incurred in July and August.
- Aligns fiscal year with federal grants.
“I am excited about updating our fiscal year start date to July 1,” Trustee Elexis Grimes said. “This will better prepare our campuses for student arrival and give our staff the tools they need in order to complete that mission.”
The Board must formally approve the move to a different fiscal year at least a year in advance.