New Braunfels ISD officials have identified 11 possible scenarios for consolidating two elementary schools for the 2027-28 school year, after projecting a $7 million budget shortfall for the next two fiscal years, according to a district news release.
Latest update
NBISD leaders and staff used the district's long-range sustainability tool, which incorporates data from multiple external sources, to develop 11 possible scenarios for consolidating schools, according to the news release.
All 11 scenarios involve closing at least two elementary schools from the following:
NBISD elementary schools are currently operating at about 61% capacity and have 2,500 unused seats across the schools. District officials have plans to retain all staff, but roles may change, according to the release.
Representatives from NBISD said several factors led to the projected budget shortfall, which include:
Flat or decreased enrollment across the district
State funding not accounting for inflation, leading to lack of coverage for rising costs from the state
No longer being eligible for the New Instructional Facility Allotment, which provided temporary additional state funding to help cover operating costs of new district campuses and instructional facilities
Losing a prior-year state funding adjustment, which will reduce the revenue available to NBISD in the 2027-28 budget year
Get involved
The district will hold several community engagement events before making any final decisions in January. The community engagement events will happen at the following:
Looking ahead
District leadership is also putting together a long-range sustainability committee made up of parents, staff and community members that will present recommendations to the board on Jan. 11, according to the release. Community members who are interested in serving on the committee can apply through Nov. 6 using this Google Form.
NBISD Superintendent Laurelyn Arterbury said they recognize that their decisions have a significant impact on students, staff, families and school communities.
"Our goal is to approach this process thoughtfully and transparently, using accurate data and meaningful community input to help guide decisions that will strengthen NBISD for the future," Arterbury said in the release.
Parents, staff and community members can visit www.nbisd.org/sustainability to stay up to date.
