San Marcos - Buda - Kyle Edition | May 2025

Education

BY ELISABETH JIMENEZ

HCISD eliminates some STEM classes

What else

District officials explored alternatives to cutting STEM specials at affected campuses, including increasing class sizes. However, they noted that raising class sizes won't be needed when they enforce the 110-student requirement for a fourth special. They ultimately chose to eliminate the additional specials, calling it “the least disruptive way to achieve budget savings.” The decision on the STEM program is final, according to HCISD representatives. However, they are still weighing potential legislative changes, the final budget, and actual enrollment numbers for the 2025-26 school year.

Hays CISD will cut science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, specials at five schools next year to address budget constraints, Superintendent Eric Wright said. The “special” classes are rotating programs outside of regular classroom activities. The programs typically include art, music and physical education. STEM is offered as a fourth special when a grade level has more than 110 students. Until now, the district has kept the fourth special even when class sizes dropped below that threshold. But HCISD officials say they can no longer afford to offer it at schools that don’t meet the 110-student minimum requirement.

Hays

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Carpenter Hill Elementary School

Buda Elementary School

Buda

Elm Grove Elementary School

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Kyle

Kyle Elementary School

Hemphill Elementary School

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Look twice for bikes. There’s a life riding on it. www.MobilityAuthority.com

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