As Bastrop ISD administrators continue crafting a budget proposal for the 2026-27 financial year, updated projections for enrollment and clarification about legislative impacts paint a clearer picture of the district's path forward.
In a nutshell
Mike White, the district's chief financial officer, shared a budget outlook for the upcoming budget year in an April 21 board meeting and April 28 board workshop. He said the district will receive about $700,000 less in hold harmless funding related to an increase of the homestead exemption, but the budget was expected to be bolstered by one-time infusions of cash.
Amid a slowdown of enrollment, he presented potential budget options that include a 1% compensation increase at the midpoint, which would fit into a balanced budget alongside state-mandated compensation increases for teachers under House Bill 2.
The details
Because the district's demographic update from Zonda Education showed an "irregular lull" in student enrollment growth, the district is planning its 2026-27 budget on a "no growth" scenario, White said. This includes about a 15% reduction in nonclassroom and nonpayroll departments.
White also shared potential items for the board to consider as budget discussions continue:
- Hiring three additional police officers and a sergeant to move closer to the state mandate of one armed security officer per campus, which would cost the district $304,000
- Adjusting the pay scale to increase compensation for teachers with 10 to 20 years of experience to make the district more competitive, which would cost the district $125,000
- Increasing paraprofessional minimum pay to $15 per hour, which would cost the district $100,000
What's next?
Budget conversations will continue in BISD as White and his staff prepare the final budget proposal, which the board will vote on this summer.
