PfISD projecting more than double budget shortfall from initial estimate for 2023-24

As Pflugerville ISD prepares to adopt its budget for the 2023-24 school year, the district’s projected shortfall is up to $7.9 million from approximately $3.1 million as estimated earlier this year.

That estimation is for a budget that includes no raises or pay cuts for district staff.

Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Land said several factors are contributing to the shortfall, but low enrollment and attendance are the main culprits.

Together, attendance and enrollment determine a district’s average daily attendance, or ADA. In turn, ADA contributes to determining how much tax revenue a district is allowed to raise before becoming subject to recapture.

Budget shortfalls are not a new issue for PfISD—the district previously considered closing several elementary schools to combat budget restraints. Officials ultimately decided against the measure, but Land said more difficult decisions are on the horizon for PfISD, especially if the basic allotment for Texas school districts is not raised this legislative session.

“Each time I look at the budget, it seems like there’s something else—something that we as the district have no control over,” Land said. “We are doing the best we can with what we have.”