Some hours ago, EPISD posted its agenda backup for tomorrow’s meeting of the Board of Trustees.
Under item G.1, there is a presentation of the budget figures for the end of the third quarter (March 31, 2026) of the current fiscal year.
At the top of the first page, we learn the school district is not facing a budget deficit of $6 million, as had been previously reported, but of $96,685,129.
Of that figure, $82.9 million of the shortfall is from state program revenues, $11.0 million from local and intermediate sources, and $2.8 million from federal program revenues.
The same report also indicates the fund balance has increased from $96.5 million to $147.2 million, enough to operate the district for about 98 days. The fund balance should be kept above 60 days, according to the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), but the Texas Education Agency recommends 90 days for an optimal financial rating. If the district were to lower the fund balance to 60 days in order to help meet the current revenue shortfall, it would find itself around $39.5 million short.
Make no mistake about it. These figures are catastrophic.
We are wondering whether and when the TEA will intervene to save EPISD from financial oblivion.
We are also wondering whether the other local school districts are facing similar challenges that we have not yet learned about.
Please consider attending tomorrow’s EPISD meeting, scheduled for 5:00 PM in the EPISD Administration Building at 1014 North Stanton Street, and speaking about your concerns.