Texas schools, including Bryan ISD, face budget challenges amid federal cuts and state funding delays

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) -As federal funding dwindles and state funding remains delayed by Governor Abbott’s push for school vouchers, school districts across the state are faced with difficult budget decisions heading into the 2024-2025 school year.

Here locally, as the end of the school year approaches, Bryan ISD leaders are already tackling next year’s budget, but achieving balance won’t be a simple task.

The primary funding for the district stems from the local budget, which supports a majority of instructional and other district activities. This budget primarily comprises state funding from the Foundation School Program (FSP) and local property tax assessments. Additionally, the Federal Budget serves as a supplementary funding source, often utilized to enhance district activities rather than replacing existing funds. However, these federal funds generally cannot be allocated to meet minimum requirements for mandated student services within the district.

“Well, a little over 85% of our budget is spent on personnel, staff, so that means there’s not a lot of wiggle room in a budget in order to make adjustments,” said Bryan ISD Board of Trustees President Dr. Julie Harlin.

Harland says federal funding cuts, plus Governor Abbott’s demand for school voucher legislation before allocating funds to public schools, mean tough choices for the district.

“We are in a unique situation, not just Bryan ISD but every school district across the state is in a budget situation, and we’re trying to figure out how to balance budgets appropriately,” said Harlin. “So we are working diligently trying to figure out what the next steps will be in terms of ensuring that we’re well positioned for the next budget cycle.”

Dr. Amanda Brownson, a consultant with the Texas Association of School Business Officials, emphasized to school leaders that when it comes to finance, budgeting, and taxes, hope is not a strategy.

“Try to put yourself on a glide path to balance budget and fiscal security. If the legislature comes through and helps, that’s great, but really we would very much encourage you to take your fate into your own hands,” said Brownson.

Earlier this year, district leaders approved the realignment of the school’s budget to better align with the academic year, aiming to improve planning and decision-making for the upcoming school year. A recent presentation indicated that this strategic move is expected to significantly impact the budgeting process for the next academic term. The district had previously budgeted for 12 months but only incurred expenses for 10 months, resulting in a surplus. This adjustment will lead to a one-time addition of approximately $20 million to the Fund Balance, helping to offset projected deficits for the 2024-2025 school year and beyond.

Harlin says that since staffing accounts for the bulk of expenditures, the district will need to make necessary adjustments and consistently refine the budget.

“It is our intention to not fill positions as there are vacancies and retirements. So yes, there will be staffing changes as a result. There simply is no way to even get close to a balanced budget without impacting some of those areas,” Harlin said. “Hopefully, we can find some low-hanging fruit ways to manage the budget.”

Bryan ISD officials say while things may not be ideal, they’re confident the best decisions will be made to continue their mission of putting children first always.

“There’s absolutely a budget crisis in this state. Fortunately, in Bryan ISD, we’re not having to close campuses, but in many school districts across the state, that is the situation they are in,” said Harlin. “So we’re fortunate here, but it doesn’t mean that there won’t be changes. We will have to make changes to move us forward.”

“I’ve heard other districts say, you know, survival mode, crisis situation, those are true, but I will say that we’re well-positioned to handle that here. But it will mean tightening the belt across the board,” Harlin added.

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