Katy ISD Superintendent Ken Gregorski is sounding the alarm over a potential $13 million shortfall in the upcoming school year's budget, placing the blame squarely on Texas lawmakers for not stepping up on school funding. The district, known for its financial prudence, is now staring down the barrel of budget cuts and constrained resources.

In a recent email to parents, as reported by the Community Impact, Gregorski lamented,  “Though, like many other school districts, our district is approaching an increasingly difficult task of maintaining balanced budgets year after year. The state’s inaction on school funding has compelled districts throughout Texas to operate on deficit budgets.” The missive came after a board work study meeting on March 18 laid bare the district's financial constraints. In efforts to stay in the black, the shortfall has been reduced from an intimidating $32.4 million to the current $13 million gap, though this remainder does not account for employee raises, which adds yet another layer of concern.

According to the Houston Chronicle, the superintendent criticized state legislators for their inaction, citing the stagnant basic allotment per student, which has not seen an increase since 2019. On the chopping block are changes to the school health and related services program, which reimburses districts for select medical expenses incurred by students with special needs, exerting additional pressure on the district's coffers.

Despite the challenges, Gregorski has vowed to retain teachers and maintain core student services. "Our school and community partnership must resolve to provide the best education possible for Katy ISD students," he told the Houston Chronicle. Strategies being considered include modifying program models for efficiency and sunsetting programs with little return on investment, while political gridlock in Texas' 88th legislative session has only compounded matters, with contested education legislation and Gov. Abbott's push for education savings accounts drawing ire and debate.

Christopher Smith, KISD's Chief Financial Officer, detailed at the meeting that the district's strategies for recovering from this year's deficit include an upcoming property value audit, which they hope will bring a surplus. Smith also said, "The only meaningful way to impact our revenue is [for] the state Legislature to do something. If the state doesn't do anything, we really cannot ... materially affect our revenue." The next board meeting, set for March 25, will surely see further discussion on strategies to navigate the financial headwinds without compromising the district's standard of education.