Editor’s note: This story was updated for clarity regarding statements made by the district. The original version incorrectly stated that enrollment was slightly up; however, district officials said it is essentially flat year over year, with only a few more students on average.
Bastrop ISD administrators are anticipating budget reductions as enrollment trends and the effects of the most recent legislative session may significantly reduce expected revenue.
What you need to know
BISD Chief Financial Officer Mike White said at a March 10 board meeting that the district has fallen short of expected 2025-26 enrollment, affecting budget estimates. This comes as area school districts begin to see the effects of recent homestead exemption changes on property tax revenue.
Where BISD's enrollment was projected to grow by over 400 students this year, White says the district has added virtually no students.
Though the district is set to receive a new demographic update from Zonda Education in April, White said his staff does not expect to see any student growth in the coming 2026-27 school year.
Some context
The district is one of 300 in Texas that White said have lost funds as a result of a voter-approved increase to the homestead exemption for those over the age of 65.
Where the measure was expected to hold districts harmless for the reduction in tax revenue and make up the difference, White says they are now losing funding. Although an update from the Texas Education Agency indicates some financial relief may be on the way, he said the district is unlikely to be made whole.
How we got here
White said in February that enrollment and state impacts on funding were high up on the list of challenges his department anticipated in the lead-up to the next budget year.
The state's education savings accounts program, providing funds for eligible families to use for private school or homeschooling expenses, is set to start in the 2026-27 school year; however, White said vouchers do not appear to be impacting enrollment projections.
What they're saying
Going into planning for the next financial year, White said no area outside the classroom is off-limits as district officials prepare for likely budget cuts.
"There's no sacred cows beyond the classroom," White said.
He added that the district is unlikely to receive additional state funding anytime soon, as no new funds are planned before the next legislative session in 2027.
Additional efforts could further affect school funding, he said, as some state leaders are campaigning on spending increase caps, limits on property tax growth and eliminating school taxes on homesteads entirely.
Remember this?
Just two years ago, the district made about $7.6 million in budget cuts to address a projected shortfall.
What's next?
The district will receive an updated enrollment projection in April, White said, along with another budget update, as department staff works to identify potential reductions during the planning process.
