During Carroll ISD's regular board meeting Feb. 24, Superintendent Jeremy Glenn presented the findings of the district’s budget reduction advisory committee to the board of trustees. The plan outlines what the district needs to do over a five-year period to stay fiscally responsible in light of on-going financial issues such as recapture and declining enrollment.

The backstory

According to previous Community Impact reporting, the BRAC was created to address the lack of funding issues school districts across the state are facing. According to district documents, the state funding formula has not been changed since 2019, despite record inflation since that time.

“It’s really unfortunate that we find ourselves in this financial situation,” Board President Cameron Bryan said. “It’s certainly no fault of this board or of this district, [but] we have to have a plan moving forward. We hope, pray and advocate that our elected officials down in Austin do their job for a change and adequately fund public education in Texas in this 89th Legislative session.”

CISD board members unanimously approved the formation of the BRAC in July 2024 to study funding shortfalls in the 2024-25 fiscal year and propose recommendations to better allocate resources to achieve district goals. It is comprised of approximately 20 members of the community along with board members, principals and other district staff members.


The BRAC’s objective is to present the Carroll ISD board of trustees with the following information:
  • A prioritized list of budget reductions
  • Options to increase revenue
  • A holistic approach to facility efficiency and maintenance
  • Competitive compensation for all staff
“We would love to take [the BRAC's] plan and shelve it somewhere and not have to use it,” Glenn said. “But the truth is, as we look at the 89th Legislative session, as we look at recapture facing our district and we look at an enrollment decline, in all likelihood, we are going to have to use at least some or all of this plan.”

The details

Glenn said that as district officials developed the plan, they chose to look at it over a five-year period that includes three legislative sessions, which Glenn said they look at as “triggers” in terms of school financing.

“It’s been my experience that the legislature will always add to and adjust the funding they give Texas public schools,” Glenn said.


He added that even though school funding hasn’t increased since 2019, he has seen some “movement” with regard to funding in the current 89th legislative session.

A closer look

The BRAC's recommendations, which include both revenue generation and cost savings opportunities, are grouped by year over the five-year plan. Revenue generation recommendations include:
  • Selling surplus property
  • Increasing fees, rentals and donations
  • Utilizing fund balance
  • Increase marketing opportunities and sponsorships
  • Increase enrollment
  • Voter approved tax rate election
  • Short term bonds
From a cost savings perspective, the BRAC’s recommendations include:
  • Outsourcing and partnerships
  • Making facilities more efficient
  • Rightsizing staff with regard to decreased student enrollment
Glenn emphasized these items are recommendations by the committee and may not necessarily come to fruition.

Next steps


While this agenda item was for informational purposes, Bryan said he would like it to be on the March board meeting agenda as an action item. In the meantime, the plan will be available online for feedback from the community.