LISD Chief Financial Officer Peter Pape said the board asked administration March 13 to increase the deficit threshold to 4.5% and increase the attendance assumption to 94.125%.
The board of trustees voted to adopt the new assumptions March 27.
Dig deeper
The new budget assumptions are parameters that will guide decision-making in crafting the 2025-26 proposed budget, which will eventually be brought before the board for a vote to finalize the budget.
The increased attendance assumption, up from 94%, could increase funding received from the state. State funding for schools in Texas is based on average daily attendance, according to the state. Board Secretary Sade Fashokun said a 1% difference in attendance equates to about $3 million.
Additionally, the increased budget deficit parameter, up from 3%, will allow for a larger budget shortfall as the district decides how to cut costs amid financial concerns.
The increased assumptions come as LISD is looking for a path forward to reduce a projected $34.4 million budget shortfall in the 2025-26 fiscal year, according to previous reporting.
What they’re saying
Board members expressed concern and frustration with the budgeting process and the assumptions being adopted.
“This is not my comfort spot, but... I see why this is a good step,” trustee Trish Bode said.
Trustee Paul Gauthier expressed his dissent.
“I think this is a terrible idea,” Gauthier said. “There is talk of school consolidation, school closures, we’re letting go teachers, we’re hiring teachers at the same time. This isn’t where I want to go at all.”
