The community is invited to make comments at a forum at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 12, on the Dallas Independent School District proposed general operating budget for the 1998-99 school year. The budget provides funding for the proposed compensation package which includes an average increase in teacher salaries of 7.44 percent, making it the largest total increase in Dallas teacher salaries in the district's history. Property taxes will not increase if the preliminary $823.8 million budget is approved.

Under the proposed budget, beginning teachers will receive $30,000, including a $1,500 signing bonus. Substitute teachers would receive on average a 15 percent increase– the highest salary for substitute teachers in North Texas. Nurses, speech therapists, counselors and social workers each will receive salary increases.

The district's acting Chief Financial Officer Gene Gutierrez and other administrators will present the proposed budget outlining allocation of funds. Following the presentation, the Board will allow time for questions and comments. The budget adoption process will follow the schedule below:

August 12- Public Hearing on proposed budget

August 17- Board to discuss input from public hearing;Board to finalize the 1998-99 budget

August 25- Final budget delivered to Board

August 27- 1998-99 budget adopted by Board

All meetings will be held in the auditorium at the Dallas Independent School District Administration Building, 3700 Ross Avenue.

News Release Index	DISD Home Page