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Spring ISD warns state SHARS changes could cut millions from special‑education budget
Summary
District staff told trustees that federal and state changes to School Health and Related Services (SHARS) calculations and documentation requirements have reduced expected reimbursements and created a possible $2.7 million swing for the 2024–25 year, forcing the district to rely on fund balance if the shortfall is not reversed on review.
Dr. Lupita Hinojosa, superintendent of Spring Independent School District, told the board on Feb. 18 that changes to federal and state SHARS reimbursements — driven by a federal audit of Texas’ billing — are creating substantial budget uncertainty for the district’s special‑education program.
The district expects its SHARS revenue for 2024–25 to be about $2.5 million, Miss Westbrooks, staff member, told trustees, but initial state calculations reversed that expectation and showed the district owing roughly $250,000. "So that's a swing of about $2,700,000," she said. The district has requested an informal review from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and has submitted detailed transportation logs and supporting documentation.
Why it matters: Spring ISD’s special‑education program runs at far higher cost than the state funds. Miss Westbrooks said the district spent approximately $42.6 million on special‑education services in 2023–24 while state aid covered about…
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