Katy ISD proposes modest staffing additions for 2025–26; special-education requests pared back pending state funding

Katy ISD Chief Human Resources Officer Brian Schuss presented the district’s campus staffing plan for the 2025–26 school year and described a modest net staffing request that reflects low enrollment growth, two new elementary campuses and the addition of a high‑school grade at Freeman.

Schuss said the staffing plan is formula driven and begins with mid‑January enrollment projections and district demographic work. For next year the administration requested about 173 additional campus positions — 63 for elementary and 110 for secondary — and 59 additional campus support staff (food service, custodial and specialized support). He emphasized the count is lower than prior years in part because two new elementary schools and the Freeman grade expansion account for roughly 274 staff positions associated with new campuses, meaning net new positions this year are smaller than the apparent total campus openings.

Special education: Schuss and district special‑education leaders told trustees roughly 87 of the 173 additional staff requests are for special‑education support. He said the initial special‑education ask was larger, but the administration reduced the request in light of fiscal uncertainty and will return with additional requests if the Legislature or other funding sources provide new dollars. “If the state legislature does fund public schools, does give public schools additional funding … we may be coming back to you with additional special education support for our campuses,” Schuss said.

Pension and retirees: Trustees asked about decisions made around rehiring retired teachers and pension surcharge implications. Schuss and CFO Chris Smith explained the district faces a TRS surcharge cost — described as roughly a $1 million‑per‑year effect tied to retirees returning to work — and said the district limited rehiring decisions amid budget pressures, noting administration told affected retirees they may revisit options if new state funding arrives.

Other operational notes: Schuss said staffing standards were unchanged for 2025–26 and the district is planning for a roughly 89% payroll proportion of total general-fund spending. He also said campus‑level exceptions can be made for specific operational needs after consultation with assistant superintendents and principals; the district will finalize staffing after board approval and ahead of the teacher job fair.

Provenance: The campus staffing presentation and Q&A were on the March 24 work study meeting agenda and recorded in the transcript.