Education
BY BRITTANY ANDERSON
Eanes ISD projects over $2 million shortfall Eanes ISD is still projecting a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall in 2026-27 and beyond, despite recently approved optimization actions. The update Chief Financial Officer Chris Scott first projected a $5 million-$6 million budget shortfall last fall. In February, the board approved a series of revenue generation or cost-saving measures to be implemented next year. These include increasing local revenues by $600,000 through initiatives such as increasing transfer students and starting a virtual academy, as well as reducing 69 full- time equivalent staff positions through attrition to garner between $3.3 million-$4.5 million in savings. In total, administration officials project $3.9 million in savings for the 2026-27 budget. According to Scott, the district is still facing
Leander ISD projects up to $13.7M shortfall Leander ISD officials are estimating either a $6.8 million or $13.7 million budget short- fall in 2026-27, depending on whether the board increases the budget deficit parameter to fund staff raises. The overview LISD officials have outlined $10.8 million worth of expenditure reductions to make, which includes the Faubion Elementary consolidation and staffing ratio adjustments. The board may also increase the current budget parameter, or how much the district can spend beyond its revenue, from 1.5% to 3%. The projected $6.8 million shortfall was made under the current 1.5% parameter with no pay raises, while the $13.7 million shortfall includes the 3% parameter with $6.8 million worth of raises.
EISD budget projections
2026-27 2027-28 0.0% 5.0%
Tax base growth
Enrollment
7,428
7,317
Maintenance & Operations tax rate
$0.7054 $0.6870
Salary increase
0% 2%
Budgeted surplus/deficit Projected surplus/deficit Projected fund balance on June 30
-$2.2M -$4.3M -$1.2M -$3.3M
$22M $18.7M
SOURCE: EANES ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
a few unknown scenarios that could further impact the budget, including what the district’s tax growth is estimated to be; what the implementation timeline is for a Texas Education Agency special education funding formula approved during the last legislative session; and how the new education savings account program will impact enrollment. The board is slated to pass the 2026-27 budget in June.
Lake Travis ISD could see $1.2 million budget shortfall Early projections show Lake Travis ISD could see either a $450,000 or $1.2 million budget shortfall in 2026-27 if various reductions are made. The update pre-K classrooms; 22-1 in kindergarten and first grade; 23-1 in second, third and fourth grades; and 26-1 in fifth grade.
Budget reductions Proposed staff reductions through attrition to save over $2 million include: $1.3M: 16 positions in curriculum and instruction $538,000: 7 positions in special services $166,200: 2 positions in technology
With a 1% of midpoint salary increase for all staff, the budget shortfall would climb to $1.2 million. LTISD shifted its fiscal year last year, and the board will now adopt its 2026-27 budget by June 30 instead of August.
Roughly 5% of LTISD’s budget is proposed to be cut, which Superintendent Curtis Null said focused on minimizing classroom impact. New staffing ratios will equate to a 20-1 ratio in
$150,900: 2 positions in organizational services $107,200: 2 positions in maintenance and operations
SOURCE: LAKE TRAVIS ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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LAKE TRAVIS - WESTLAKE EDITION
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