Editor's note: This article and headline was updated to provide more context to the budget and hearing.
College Station ISD trustees approved the district's 2026-27 budget June 16, which includes an estimated $8.3 million deficit as district officials battle with declining enrollment, rising costs and major facility needs. However, this number could be lower before the next school year starts.
What readers need to know
During a budget hearing, Chief Financial Officer Heather Wilson said the projected shortfall is driven by lost state funding tied to enrollment declines, $4.6 million in compensation growth and a planned $2 million roof repair project.
The approved budget includes a 3% employee compensation increase, staffing additions for career and technical education programs and funding to meet increased state security requirements.
The breakdown
Wilson noted the district is projecting an enrollment decline of 330 students, including a decrease of about 211 students in average daily attendance, which affects state funding.
She said the district is monitoring the impact of Texas’ education savings account program, with more than 200 in-district children currently approved.
“We have literally taken the fluff out of the budget,” she told trustees, adding that staff closely examined spending throughout the year to build an accurate budget.
What else?
Wilson said roughly $2 million of the deficit is tied to a roof repair project that was funded in a previous budget year and will be carried forward through the district's fund balance.
The district expects to remain within board fund balance targets, and Wilson said the deficit could decrease before the year begins as other adjustments are finalized.
She also said the tax rate is expected to remain the same, if not decrease slightly.
The budget was approved unanimously.
