Borger ISD agrees to consolidate Spring Creek ISD, voters to decide May 4

The Borger Independent School District (ISD) voted unanimously Thursday to move forward on consolidating the Spring Creek ISD into its school system. For the measure to move forward, most voters from both school districts must approve the consolidation in an election to be conducted May 4.

If voters approve, the effective date for the consolidation would be July 1, 2024. The facilities and equipment of Spring Creek ISD will become the property and be maintained by Borger ISD. Operations at the school will continue until the end of the school year, and all employees will be utilized at the discretion of Spring Creek ISD and terminated at the time of consolidation. Spring Creek expects to work out settlements for the final two months of their contracts. Spring Creek district employees are encouraged to apply with Borger ISD.

With Spring Creek falling well below the Texas Education Association minimum of 90 students for its funding, the district had been sent notice that it owed the state $600,000 in funding. The number of students had fallen over the last few years to just over 70 students, and with its announcement, it was expected to fall much further.

According to Borger ISD Superintendent Chance Welch, by both districts choosing to consolidate, there are financial advantages of $500,000 from the state to support the consolidation. If the districts chose not to consolidate, there was a great chance that the state would come in and decide for both districts, but with no financial incentive.

According to Welch, Spring Creek ISD has a fund balance of about $1 million, and if Spring Creek ISD continued without state funding another year, the school would not be able to be financially viable. With the voluntary consolidation including extra funding from the state as an incentive, the Borger ISD would come out with about $100,000 in extra funding in the consolidation if it happens as planned. Any delay for another year would result in taking on debt from Spring Creek ISD.

"From what we are seeing, if we make this consolidation happen now, there is no way we should see a tax increase from this," Welch said. "We should hopefully be able to reduce taxes with this addition. TEA has an incentive of about $500,000 if we can handle this process between the two school districts. We have been told that if this doesn't pass, there is a chance that TEA gets involved and orders Borger ISD to consolidate but without the incentive."

Welch said the Spring Creek attendance zone has about $42 million in property values, which will create more overall value for the district. He said qualified staff from Spring Creek ISD will be considered for jobs, and the district is always looking to fill positions. Welch also said there are no plans to use the Spring Creek school, but this could change with further evaluation.

“We appreciate the cooperation that we have had from the Spring Creek school district, including its board and superintendent," Welch said. “Ultimately, this is about educating kids, and that is the goal we all have.”