Education
BY ELLE BENT, SIENNA WIGHT AND CHLOE YOUNG
AISD proposes cuts to address $181M shortfall Austin ISD o cials shared some preliminary reductions that may be made to the scal year 2026-27 budget May 5. The proposed reductions come as the district faces a budget shortfall that has grown to $181 million for FY 2026-27. The breakdown As of May 5, AISD o cials have identi ed $73.8 million in reductions to budgets. This will include eliminating vacancies. Sta anticipates $45 million in revenue from real estate monetiza- tion, according to district documents. Additionally, district o cials have identi ed $33.9 million in proposed reductions to campus budgets. This includes new student-to-teacher ratios and increased class sizes at some campuses, updated special education and bilingual stipend criteria, and changes to technology, including software transitions. DSISD invests $4.4M on bus safety upgrades The Dripping Springs ISD bus eet is now in 100% compliance with Senate Bill 546, which requires all public school-operated buses to be equipped with three-point seat belts. At a glance DSISD Chief Operations O cer Scott Berry gave a transportation report at an April 27 meeting. DSISD replaced 16 buses and retro tted 37. Retro tting is the process of removing old seats and replacing them with ones equipped with three-point seat belts. This process cost the district $4.4 million.
Quote of note
"This has been incredibly di cult work, and we know that there are real impacts to all of these reductions. Ultimately, we must have
a balanced budget." KATRINA MONTGOMERY, AISD CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Going forward The timeline for the nal budget decision is as follows: • May 21: The recommended FY 2026-27 budget is presented to the board of trustees. • June 18: The board of trustees votes on the nal budget before the deadline of June 30. • July 1: The new budget takes e ect. • July 25: Travis County Appraisal District nal certi ed values are received.
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Harris Elementary School
DORCHESTER DR. N. HAMPTON DR.
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Modernized Harris Elementary opens Harris Elementary students moved into a fully modernized campus in January. The overview The $56.28 million modernization—funded by the district’s 2022 bond—includes new classrooms, administrative o ces and out- door learning areas along with a new cafeteria and gym, Principal Sonya Wyatt said at an April 28 ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Dripping Springs ISD school buses SB 546 requires all school buses to be equipped with three-point seat belts. Of the district’s 91-bus eet, 53 needed to be brought into compliance.
Retro tted: 37 No work needed: 38 Replaced: 16
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SOURCE: DRIPPING SPRINGS ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
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SOUTHWEST AUSTIN DRIPPING SPRINGS EDITION
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