School board members discussed the possibility of delaying the opening of four new schools for the 2017-18 school year at a special meeting Thursday. The final decision will come down to a vote during Monday’s regular meeting. FISD is looking to trim $30 million from the 2017-18 school year budget after Frisco voters rejected a tax hike in August that would have generated enough revenue to make up for the elimination of state funding next year. Delaying the opening of these four new schools would save the district more than $15 million, according to district staff. Waiting a year to open the new schools also allows the district the time to monitor growth and utilize instructional space already in place, FISD Superintendent Jeremy Lyon said. “This is a very important mechanism to attain large savings without negatively impacting student programs and opportunities,” Lyon said. “Extracurriculars are not impacted. Core instruction is not impacted.” Memorial High School, Lawler Middle School and Liscano and Talley elementary schools were originally scheduled to open August 2017. If the board votes to delay the openings, the schools will continue construction but will remain vacant for a year with minimal cost for security and utilities, according to staff. Lyon said the opening delays would only provide temporary savings because the schools will need to open the following year based on enrollment projections. The district has also implemented a priority-based budgeting system for the next nine months in which committees made up of district employees and community members will make recommendations for cost-saving solutions for the 2017-18 budget. The district has already reduced staff travel and professional development as well as scrutinizing hiring to save money this school year. According to budget estimates presented by staff, by delaying the school openings the district would trim the gap to a $13.9 million shortfall in 2017-18 and would face a $30.8 million shortfall in 2018-19.