Houston Independent School District’s enrollment drop fell far below predicted levels, triggering budget cuts.
Superintendent Mike Miles expected the projected loss of 4,000 students to cause a $50 million cut in funding, but actual enrollment is much lower.
“HISD expected to lose 4,000 students this school year. Early enrollment data shows the district has lost 10,000 students, triggering campus budget cuts,” according to the Houston Chronicle.
The loss of enrollment likely means substantial budget cuts across HISD schools. Districts are awarded state funding based on student attendance, therefore fewer students means less funding.
An annual campus leveling process will change school budgets to reflect actual enrollment rather than predicted enrollment.
“We have worked hard over the last three years to put HISD on stronger financial footing while putting more resources into classrooms and increasing teacher pay,” said Miles. “But we also have to adjust when enrollment and revenues change.”
Houston Federation of Teachers (HFT) President Jackie Anderson expressed concern about the effects of the budget cuts, which have not been publicly itemized.
Anderson “is calling for greater transparency, saying teachers and families need to know how the reductions will affect staffing, class sizes, programs and students.”
She also questioned whether teachers could lose their jobs. “We are very concerned because getting cuts that magnitude can lead to employee layoffs, overcrowded classrooms, lack of support, and supplies and materials from HISD.”
However, HISD’s September 22 release attributed budget cuts to actual enrollment, student needs, available resources, and the financial environment.
According to Fox News 26, “the district said some employees may be reassigned and that HISD will prioritize placing impacted employees into available positions for which they are qualified.”
“We have to make responsible decisions now so the district remains financially strong and can continue investing in the things that have the greatest impact on student achievement,” said Miles.
Enrollment declines are not a new trend, as Houston ISD’s enrollment has been steadily dropping for the past 10 years.
Other districts across the state are experiencing a similar trend, with many districts opting to close schools to cut costs.
