Fort Bend ISD officials say shortfall has lessened for 2026-27 school year

Fort Bend ISD officials said the district is expected to face less of a shortfall than projected.

What you need to know

At a March 30 board of trustees meeting, Chief Financial Officer Bryan Guinn said the district is now expected to face a $38.5 million shortfall for the 2026-27 school year, down from the $56.4 million figure predicted at the board’s February meeting.

However, the number is still up 46.95% from the district’s initial $26.2 million projection shared last summer, Community Impact reported.

Guinn said the decrease comes after an expected $7 million in increased revenues and a $10.9 million in strategic staffing reductions made at the central administration level.

The budget outlook shows revenues at $855 million, which is $66.7 million less than the 2025-2026 year-end estimate due to disaster pennies expiring and the loss of property value audit gains. The budgetary reductions for next year are currently $10 million.

The ending fund balance is projected at $203.7 million, or 91 days, which Guinn said is “within policy.”

However, Guinn said there are several factors that can alter these numbers, including the unknown revenue from alterations to special education weighted allotments, savings from the boundary/consolidation changes and the aftermath of health benefits solicitation.

“There are still deep challenges that remain that the district will face going forward,” Guinn said.

Diving in deeper

Guinn said staff is still obtaining information on how education savings accounts will affect next year’s budget.

As of March 8, 7,132 students within FBISD boundaries have applied for ESAs, and 2,045 FBISD students have applied as of March 22. The deadline to apply was March 31.

The district anticipated losses of 700 students due to ESAs, although Guinn said the district will know more in 30-60 days.

Also of note

Guinn said the district is expecting $15.4 million in revenues and $8.3 million in expenditures below budget for the 2025-26 school year, due to stagnant vacant positions and discipline on spending for maintenance and operations

The fund balance reserve will now exceed 100 days, and the fund balance is $23.7 million higher than budgeted, which will be needed next year to “offset the deficit that we’re expecting,” Guinn said.

The total year-end estimate of revenues is at a little over $922 million, with total expenditures at $896 million, which is $8.4 million less than predicted.

Next steps

Two additional updates are scheduled before the public hearing and final vote on the budget in June, Guinn said. The board is also set to vote on the tax rate in September.