The Georgetown ISD board of trustees approved the district's approximately $79.5 million general fund budget during a June 18 meeting. The board also approved the debt service and food service budgets and discussed a potential 4 cent tax ratification election (TRE) for this fall.

The approved budget includes an approximately $650,000 shortfall that could be reduced if federal funding is approved this year, Superintendent Joe Dan Lee said at the meeting.

In the past two years, the district has faced more than $7 million in reductions from state and federal funding, which led to a reduction in force of about 70 positions, including 50 teaching positions.

Lee said he does not anticipate any financial relief from state Legislature this year.

"We are not excited about this budget," he said. "We're not going to act like we are, but we've done the best that we can to reduce expenditures."

Lee said if future reductions to school funding are made, the district would not be able to offer the same services it has in the past.

"Some programs have been modified, but we are still offering all the programs," he said. "If we don't see financial relief, I'm not sure I can bring a budget to the board that doesn't have some programs eliminated from it."

The board also discussed a probable timeline for a fall TRE, which could be held Oct. 9. Steve West, GISD interim chief financial officer, said the additional 4 cents could generate up to $2.2 million, which would be used to help carry the district through the next legislative session.

The board must call the election by Aug. 6 to have the election Oct. 9, West said.