Katy ISD could face a net staffing reduction for 2026-27 school year

Katy ISD could see a reduction in net staffing for the 2026-27 school year.

The big picture

The potential net reduction could affect 106 positions as the district faces flat enrollment figures, stemming from low birth rates, causing a loss of $11 million in total revenue, Chief Financial Officer Christopher J. Smith said.

However, Chief Human Resources Officer Brian Schuss said all current staff members will remain employed next year with reductions from vacancies, attrition and excess.

“The days of growing like we had been growing so much may be behind us,” Smith said.

By the numbers

Staffing and payroll make up 89% of the district’s general operating fund, Smith said.

Katy ISD’s student-to-teacher ratio is reported to be 14-to-1, with the staff member-to-student ratio at 7-to-1, Smith said. However, this includes instructors who are not assigned to a classroom and work throughout the entire campus.

To get a more accurate representation of the ratios, Schuss said secondary levels climbed from 24-to-1 to 25-to-1.

Zooming out

Smith said Katy ISD is still in a good financial position as a whole, citing a declining tax burden, an increase in homestead exemptions and compressed tax rates.

A 2023 property value audit and underspending should help with the health care deficit, and $238,000 spent on daily health claims. Additionally, the district received a homestead exemption letter March 13 that could amend the budget by $10 million next month.

What they’re saying

Trustee Amy Thieme questioned why staffing seems to be one of the first items cut, even though she understands how much it encompasses the budget.

“It would be nice to see a creative way of looking at other areas before we just always go to our teachers,” Thieme said.

Smith said maintenance and operations—the second largest piece of the budget—are down by 2%, and other departments have been reduced, but that spending is still necessary to provide services and be as efficient as possible.

Trustee Rebecca Fox said the district is not making cuts; instead, it is only adjusting staff. She said the overall uncertainty may be the main source of tension.

“The pain they’re feeling, staff are nervous because they don’t know what their next assignment is,” Fox said.

Next steps

The district will review budget projections in the spring and summer before a public hearing is held in August regarding the budget and tax rates, Smith said.