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We’re back with another budget update! When we last checked in, we shared that the district was working to tackle a $92 million deficit over three years. 

Since then we’ve gotten new information from the Travis Central Appraisal District that means we could be facing a budget deficit between $105–121 million for the 2025–26 school year.

Why it matters: A bigger budget deficit means our savings will run out faster if we don't reduce spending — so we’ll have to make deeper cuts sooner than we’d expected.

How we got here: Austin ISD relies on estimates from the Travis Central Appraisal District to forecast how much revenue we can expect from local property taxes — our primary funding source. 

• When we first began forecasting funding for the 2025–26 school year back in the fall, TCAD estimated that Travis County property values would remain flat. 
• TCAD now anticipates they will go down by about 9–11%, which could amount to a loss of tens of millions in expected revenue.

Yes, and…The budget deficit continues to be a moving target as we grapple with higher costs than anticipated in areas such as special education and facility repairs.

• That’s why we’re implementing a districtwide hiring freeze, excluding special education staff, to reduce spending for the current year, effective March 1.

So now what? Previously discussed reduction strategies remain on the table as the district continues to reduce the current year deficit. 

• The district has already cut roughly $60 million from the budget in the 2024-25 school year, which includes eliminating Central Office positions, reducing service contracts and operational efficiencies across the district. 

• We’re now at the point where we must consider options that will have a direct impact on campuses such as eliminating programs and reviewing staffing levels. 

• The board is also exploring selling real estate for a one time, cash infusion.

We're keeping an eye on the state legislature, which has multiple school funding bills under consideration, though it's too early to tell what impacts those might have on our budget.

Get involved: This district is hosting a series of community and staff budget conversations in the coming months:

• Next up is Saturday, Feb. 22 at 11 a.m. via Zoom
• View the full schedule

Go deeper… with the presentation of the fiscal forecast to the board

Ahead of football's biggest game this weekend, we have some big news from the 2022 Bond as we lay the groundwork for the future of athletics in Austin ISD. 

• LBJ and Northeast early college high schools will be the first of many fields to be renovated with artificial turf. 

Let's go back: As part of the 2022 Bond Program, Austin ISD comprehensive high schools will receive artificial turf and other athletic field improvements.

• We originally aimed to complete the first few fields by the end of Summer 2024, but design challenges and permitting took longer than expected. 

• We've worked with the City of Austin for the last year and a half to resolve any issues and get permits to move forward.

The bottom line: We now anticipate the majority of fields to be completed by the end of 2025, with a few wrapping up in early 2026.

• Check out the latest schedule for all comprehensive high school campuses. 

Go deeper: For the latest information on the projects, including timelines and FAQs , please visit AISDfuture.com .

• You can also submit feedback through the Questions & Comments form . 

First sports field to begin construction this spring, full construction schedule released

Ahead of this weekend's big football game, we have some big news from the 2022 Bonus as we lay the groundwork for the future of sports in Austin ISD. 

• LBJ and Northeast Early College High Schools will be the first of many fields to be renovated with artificial turf. 

Step back in time: As part of the 2022 Bond Program, Austin ISD comprehensive high schools will receive artificial turf and other athletic field improvements.

• Originally, we aimed to complete the first fields by late summer 2024, but design challenges and permitting took longer than expected.

• We have been working with the City of Austin over the past year and a half to resolve any issues and obtain permits to move forward.

Bottom line:  We now anticipate that most fields will be completed by late 2025, with some completed in early 2026.

• View the  latest schedule  for all comprehensive high schools. 

Let's dig deeper:  For the latest project information, including timelines and FAQs , please visit  AISDfuturo.com .

• You can also submit your comments via the  Comments and Questions Form .

Budget cuts can be scary! No need to panic. The district has a plan to save without making major impacts to operations and learning. 

First, the cuts won’t happen all at once. Phew! There’s a plan in place to reduce the budget deficit over the next three years. 

How is the district going to cut the budget by $92 million over the next three years you ask? 

Well, it’s looking at several options including vacancies, finding operational efficiencies, and ensuring we are getting all the dollars we deserve for the services we provide to students.

Let’s review some of those options together! 

Transportation: Over the next several months the district would like to rethink how it provides transportation to some of our magnet or application-based schools. 

How could this save the district money?

The intent is not to cut transportation all-together but to explore streamlining routes, transportation hubs or reduced bus stops. This will save the district money on bus maintenance, fuel and staffing. 

Master Scheduling: This would look at how our class schedules are built districtwide, ensuring we are making the most of the staff we have at each campus. 

How could this save the district money? 

Building a master schedule is like a puzzle that can be solved multiple ways — but some of the solutions are more streamlined and efficient. Consolidating where appropriate while also ensuring equitable distribution of resources can result in huge savings across. Note, we are not considering reducing teacher planning time or changing staffing formulas.

PEIMS Reform: Public Education Information Management System houses all data requested and received by the Texas Education Agency on public education, including student demographics and academic performance, personnel and financial information. This includes attendance, and any additional information that may impact funding, such as weights for special education and emergent bilingual students.

How will this affect the budget?

Accurately reporting student attendance and the services we provide ensures we receive every dollar our students deserve. Without strong systems in place to validate our data, we could be leaving money on the table. 

Portable Reduction Strategy: Austin ISD operates the square footage of nearly two large high schools in portable buildings. Many are over 50 years old, are in poor condition and aren’t even needed by the campuses where they’re located.

How will this save the district money?

The cost to operate portables is not cheap. They’re exposed to the weather elements on all sides and aren’t even worth as much as they’d cost to remove. While it would take an initial investment to get rid of the ones we don’t need, over time we’d realize significant savings on utilities, maintenance and custodial costs. 

I hope this helps serve as a guide on how the district is looking to save money and reduce its deficit. You can also learn more about the district’s budget reduction plan on the Austin ISD website.