Keller ISD outlines $9.4 million budget shortfall and possible staffing, program cuts for 2025–26

Keller ISD administrators told the Board of Trustees on Feb. 27 the district is planning a set of efficiencies headed toward a projected $9.4 million operating gap for fiscal year 2025–26, with proposed changes focused on staffing ratios, department budgets and program consolidation.

The administration emphasized the shortfall is driven by long-running state funding challenges, flat property-tax growth assumptions and rising costs, and said staff are designing multi-year changes rather than one-time cuts.

Why it matters: About 86% of Keller ISD’s budget covers salaries and benefits. Trustees and administrators said further reductions will affect personnel and programs at both campus and district levels. Staff said they aim to protect core classroom services while improving long-term financial stability.

Key proposals and estimates presented: - Staffing-ratio adjustments: no change proposed for elementary or intermediate staffing ratios; middle- and high-school ratios would rise by 0.5 each, estimated to save about $720,000 (middle) and roughly $2,300,000 (high school). District-level position reductions were estimated at about $2,100,000. - Department budgets: a districtwide trimming target of about $800,000. - Program efficiencies: estimated at roughly $3,400,000, including moving early-childhood programs from district Early Learning Centers (ELCs) onto elementary campuses, eliminating optional (non-mandated) transportation routes, discontinuing a district wellness clinic lease, and consolidating overlapping intervention services (instructional coaches, ISTs, ESL supports). The wellness-clinic and facility changes were estimated to save roughly $760,000; consolidating intervention delivery was estimated at up to $750,000.

Administrators said they plan to preserve access for three‑ and four‑year-old students who are eligible for early‑education services; qualifying 3‑year‑old special-education students would still be served. Staff signaled that some elementary consolidations or closures could be considered in future budget cycles but would require community engagement and boundary work.

Teacher compensation and state proposals: The administration said the district is trying to include at least a 1% employee pay increase as part of the plan, which would cost about $3,000,000 across all employees. Trustees and staff discussed federal and state legislative proposals under consideration that could affect district funding; however the administration cautioned against counting on uncertain state-level changes while finalizing the budget.

Process and timeline: Staff said they will refine estimates as course requests, enrollment and legislative developments become clearer. Principals are already discussing staffing implications and course requests; district leaders said any campus staff reassignments would follow existing personnel processes and the district’s standard procedures for matching excess positions to vacancies.

Ending: Administrators urged the board and community to view the proposals as part of a longer-term plan to rebuild fund balance and stabilize operations, not as final decisions. Trustees asked for further details on savings analyses and potential effects on programs before approving final budget actions.