During a Feb. 17 regular meeting, PfISD Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Land discussed the effects of decreased attendance and lower enrollment on the district's 2021-22 budget.
Land said she will further refine figures as the school year and budgeting process continue, but for now, the district could be looking at about $16 million less state and local revenue because PfISD budgeted for 26,312 students but is at an enrollment total of 25,800.
Land also said in combination with $2.3 million anticipated loss in what is called a fast-growth allotment, as well as $3 million in estimated costs to open Hidden Lake Elementary School next year in eastern Pflugerville and the roughly $4 million cost of a 2% raise for district staff next year, PfISD is potentially facing a $25 million shortfall for the 2022-23 PfISD budget.
"This is a placeholder, almost, because we're waiting for our demographers to update us," Land said, adding she and her staff will continue to monitor attendance to determine revenue estimates.
PfISD Superintendent Doug Killian expressed great frustration during the Feb. 17 meeting and said the state of Texas operates on a system that funds districts based on attendance. Disastrous events such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have unveiled flaws in state funding, and it is time to re-envision how Texas school districts are allocated money, he said.
"Attendance has been wonky all year long ... and it is time for the state to step up ... and go ahead and pay so that we don't have to keep finding ways to cut things [from the district's budget]," Killian said. "We are in a dilemma. We want kids to stay safe and stay home if they are sick, but we are also getting punished by the state of Texas through an antiquated system that bases funding on attendance."
Killian said the potential shortfall means it is going to be difficult to open Hidden Lake Elementary School, which as of mid-February is about 35% complete, next year.
Land said her presentation ultimately represented a kind of snapshot, and she will continue to examine budgetary developments and update staff as the situation evolves.
"I'm glad Miss Land is bringing this to us now," board trustee Vernagene Mott said during the meeting. "We have to do some hard work. Our human capital is the most important thing. We know we have to have them, and we have a big job in front of us."
