Education
Transportation
BY WESLEY GARDENER
BY MELISSA ENAJE & KEVIN VU
Houston ISD moves closer to a balanced budget Houston ISD is getting nearer to producing a bal- anced budget by the 2026-27 school year, officials announced during a Feb. 27 budget workshop. The details Balancing a budget: FY2025-26 Revenue source increases ($87M) $44M: Potential basic allotment
HISD to consider campus closures
New pedestrian mobility enhancements installed New pedestrian signage was installed across West University Place’s frequently used intersections aimed at enhancing pedestrian visibility and safety. The overview Throughout February, West U Public Works crews and contractors installed signage at the following locations: • Weslayan Street and University Boulevard • Buffalo Speedway and University Boulevard
City removes ‘no right turn on red’ signage Bellaire City Council approved an ordinance removing the intersection of Bellaire Boule- vard and Newcastle Drive on the “no turn on red” section of the city’s code of ordinances during a March 17 City Council meeting. What we know Traffic Manager Colby Wright said Quiddity Engineering conducted a traffic study on the intersection on Feb. 1 and found that: • A total of 26 vehicle collisions occurred between 2020 and 2024 • More than 168 pedestrian crossings occurred every hour between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday City Attorney Alan Petrov said staff will install “turning vehicles yield to pedestrians” signs at the intersection at a later date.
New pedestrian signage
BISSONNET ST.
BUFFALO SPEEDWAY
Houston ISD board managers will likely consider the closure of an undisclosed number of campuses that would go into effect beginning in the 2026-27 school year, officials announced Feb. 27. What we know Superintendent Mike Miles said the closures are being considered due to the dis- trict’s declining student population, which has dropped by more than 30,000 students in the last decade. Miles said he believed the district was effectively subsidizing schools with fewer than 300 students. Miles said the budgetary impact of closing a small school within the district could save between $1.5 million to $2 million annually.
HISD Superintendent Mike Miles said the district is projecting roughly $2.1 billion in expenditures while taking in around $2.07 billion in revenue for the 2025-26 school year. While the projected budget would still contain a roughly $33 million budget shortfall, Miles said the district is making gains toward a balanced budget. A closer look Miles noted officials calculated the current pro- jected expenditures and revenues for the 2025-26 school year budget conservatively. Per budget projections, the district is estimated to bring in roughly $243.5 million in additional revenue while losing $67 million next year due to a projected 8,000 student decline in enrollment. However, he said around $47.2 million would be
$3M: Potential teacher salary $30M: Other financing sources $10M: Security grants
N
SOURCE: WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Cost-cutting measures ($103.7M) $57M: Expenditures for recapture costs $30M: Cuts to department budgets $16.7M: One-time expenditures
stopping at crosswalks and vehicles running red lights at the five intersections. City Manager Dave Beach said additional mobil- ity enhancements made in the last few months include traffic signal timing and paver repairs. Going forward West U officials are also working with a local traffic engineering firm to explore options and solutions for creating a safer environment for both pedestrians and drivers, according to a city announcement.
• Weslayan Street and Rice Boulevard • Rice Boulevard and Buffalo Speedway • Sunset Boulevard and Buffalo Speedway
SOURCE: HOUSTON ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
saved in funding that would have been spent if those students stayed in the district. What’s next? Board managers will be required to approve the district’s budget before June 30.
West U officials first discussed pedestrian mobil- ity and safety concerns during a November City Council meeting when residents expressed safety concerns about driver behavior that included not
BUFFALO SPEEDWAY 9733 Buffalo Speedway (713) 838-7486
HOLCOMBE 2314 W Holcombe Blvd (713) 669-1722
WESLAYAN 3902 Bissonnet (713) 218-8144
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