The Regular Meeting held on November 12, 2024, focused primarily on budget discussions and the implications of recent financial decisions. The meeting began with a presentation on budget optimization, which raised concerns about potential school closures and the district's long-term financial sustainability. Trustee Correa emphasized the need for a dedicated conversation about the budget to ensure every dollar is effectively utilized, highlighting the district's current deficit and lack of incoming funds.

The discussion transitioned to the upcoming 2025-2026 budget, with officials noting the importance of starting these conversations early. The meeting included a review of the current budget, which had been approved with the expectation of additional funding that did not materialize. As a result, the board needed to revise the budget to reflect this change and remove anticipated revenues that were no longer viable.

Miss Westberg clarified that the first budget review needed approval during this meeting to comply with state requirements and to facilitate the submission of necessary documentation to the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The urgency of this approval was underscored, as it would impact the district's financial rating and variance analysis.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the critical need for strategic financial planning and the importance of addressing budgetary challenges head-on as the district prepares for the upcoming fiscal year. The board agreed to prioritize further discussions on budget optimization and the implications of recent financial setbacks in future meetings.