![]() Texas is one of just a handful of states that largely funds public schools based on how often kids show up to class. One of those steps would be funding them based on enrollment rather than attendance. “We don’t have an economic development plan that incentivizes young entrepreneurs or young couples to move to Wichita Falls to further their career,” he said.īut, Lee said, there are steps the Texas Legislature can take to help out public schools. Lee said some of the district’s financial challenges stem from local issues such as lower birth rates and fewer job opportunities to attract young families. “Usually we lose 15% of our staff each year and so it will just kind of gradually organically happen from that standpoint,” he said. He also expects to save on staff salaries because employees will be moved around to fill vacancies at other campuses. Lee said the district will save more than $1 million just by operating fewer buildings. That saddled the district with about a $9 million budget deficit. “We went from 14,000 students just two or three years ago to 13,200 and had kept the same amount of staff members,” Wichita Falls ISD Superintendent Donny Lee said. So, how did Pflugerville ISD and Wichita Falls ISD find themselves in this position? While each faces some unique challenges, both saw a significant decline in enrollment in the wake of the pandemic. The district is turning another elementary school into an early learning center. Its school board voted last November to close Lamar Elementary and Farris Early Childhood Center, which is one of the campuses used for the federal Head Start program that prepares kids 5 and younger for school. Wichita Falls ISD, roughly 300 miles north of the suburban Austin district, is downsizing. Pflugerville ISD is not the only Texas school system looking at closing campuses. They also raised questions about whether school closures were the most cost effective option. Originally PfISD looked at closing two to three elementary schools, but teachers and families pushed back. The district is considering deep cuts to save money, including closing Dessau Elementary. ![]() His call to action comes as PfISD faces a multimillion-dollar budget deficit. He’s pretty easy to contact on his social media,” Killian said. During a board meeting in late January, he even walked people through how to contact state leaders, including Gov. Pflugerville ISD Superintendent Douglas Killian has been urging families to contact Texas lawmakers and demand more state funding for public education. ![]()
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