Houston Independent School District trustees unanimously approved a $1.6 billion budget for next year Thursday. Trustees Harvin Moore and Larry Marshall were not at the meeting.

The budget for next year, $1.61 billion, represents almost a one percent decrease from last year's budget of $1.62 billion.

Before the vote, the public had an opportunity to share their opinions with HISD trustees and Superintendent Terry Grier at the public hearing, which was held immediately before trustees voted to adopt the 2010-11 budget. More on this topic, and salary increases, on School Zone, a Houston Chronicle blog.

Contact Lynn Walsh at 713-228-2850 or lynn@texaswatchdog.org.