by Newsletter Comment Closed

For those who could not attend Friday’s PFLASA meeting where Principal Crescenzi went over AISD’s overall budget projections AND what is on the table in terms of cuts, this is a summary with links to information and the survey below:

  • The district is anticipating a gross deficit of $181 million in 2026-27.
  • Recapture (defined here and explained AISD impact: here ) is not the only financial constraint the district is facing.
  • The district has 3,200 fewer students (as of the most recent tally) than it anticipated. For the last three years, Travis County property values have decreased. Lower property values mean less revenue coming into the district.
  • This is not the result of poor financial management as AISD has received numerous accolades. This is a state-wide problem. See discussion: here 
  • To meet this financial challenge EVERYTHING not mandated by the State is being considered for cost savings.
    • Changes to campus staffing levels (student-teacher ratios) & (nurses/librarians), master schedules, and planning periods (i.e. the 7 out of 8 model);
    • Revised ratios for administrative and support positions;
    • Employee stipends;
    • A 15% cut to all non-staffing budgets across all campuses and departments (already in effect);
    • Potential reduction or elimination of certain programs (this includes magnets, dual language, IB, etc)
    • Cutting transportation costs including magnet transportation.
  • The district is also considering ways to raise revenue: Selling facility naming rights and advertising; Philanthropic partnerships (The Austin Ed Fund is Austin ISD’s trusted philanthropic partner); Pursuing “Resource Campus” designations to secure extra state funding for struggling schools; Additional Days School Year (ADSY) calendars at several schools to cover the cost of summer enrichment programs.
  • The district needs and will make painful cuts that will affect the quality of school life. The deficiency is too large to only cut from the central office which has already been pared down. This links to the presentation that Stacia gave.
  • We heard that most of the LASA staff would prefer changes to class size rather than the 7/8 model. Some teachers with subject areas that cannot take larger student groups prefer 7/8. One of the biggest things that would help LASA (and other high schools) is flexibility to make those decisions within a constrained budget.
  • Now is the time to give the district your ideas for revenue and priorities. Rejecting all cuts or suggesting cuts that will not affect you is unlikely to be successful or considered.
  • The Timeline for creating and adopting the new budget is tight.
    • April 23, 2026: Preliminary 2026–27 Budget presented to the public.
    • May 21, 2026: Recommended Budget presented to the Board.
    • June 18, 2026: Board of Trustees votes on the final budget.
    • July 1, 2026: The new budget and strategies take effect.
  • SURVEY: ends 4/30 but preliminary budget 4/23: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfeIB3ycGYrGUEz-Ws7_VvXCkB3X1q3anHc-AnaEMDKdHTKOw/viewform
  • Community conversations to gather input on which programs are most vital to the student experience:
    • Virtual Session: Saturday, April 25 | 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
    • In-Person (Austin High School): Tuesday, April 28 | 6–7 p.m.
    • Virtual Session: Saturday, May 9 | 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
  • Other Engagement – contact your Board representative