CSISD budget workshop flags enrollment drop and opens out-of-district transfer window

College Station Independent School District trustees heard a detailed budget briefing on Nov. 18 that showed a temporary $14.3 million increase in fund balance from a 10-month fiscal close, but also outlined persistent enrollment declines and revenue risks that staff says could force program cuts without new revenue.

The district’s finance presentation noted a roughly $4 million drop in revenue when comparing the last two years on a 12‑month basis and said average daily attendance was below the 13,203 the budget assumed, leaving the district about 300 students short of prior projections. The presenter emphasized the district wants to preserve a three‑month operating reserve as a minimum and that the board has discussed a long‑term goal of growing reserves to five or six months.

“Three months is good sound. No less than three months,” the presenter told trustees, adding that the 10‑month close produced a one‑time increase in reported fund balance but does not represent unrestricted cash available for ongoing operations.

Why it mattered: trustees and staff framed the discussion as planning under uncertainty — declining early‑grade cohorts, the potential effect of state policies and voucher proposals, and rising costs for insurance, payroll and construction materials.

Out‑of‑district transfers: a policy change

Facing limited local options to raise recurring revenue, trustees voted 5–2 to amend local policy to permit the district to open an application window for out‑of‑district transfers, initially for kindergarten through grade 6. The change does not automatically admit students; it authorizes the district to receive applications and then return to the board with proposed admission criteria and administrative regulations.

Doctor Harkrider, the district’s lead administrator, said staff will open the application window in December–January and present proposed qualification metrics (attendance, discipline and academic indicators) in a board workshop before spring staffing decisions. “We want our campus principals when they get back from spring break to have their allocations and know who they're gonna hire,” he said.

Trustees who supported the move framed it as pragmatic: without new revenue, staff warned of a roughly $2.1 million to $3.5 million deficit scenario. Trustees who opposed or sought delay said they wanted firm admission criteria before authorizing the program.

“We should set the bar,” one trustee said, urging that staff return with specific thresholds for attendance, discipline and grade expectations. Staff said administrative regulations and revocation criteria would follow and pledged to gather board input and stakeholder feedback via the district’s ThoughtExchange tool.

What’s next: staff will draft enrollment‑admission parameters and administrative rules and return to the board in a workshop; trustees also agreed to gather suggested metrics via email after the Thanksgiving break.

Votes at a glance (related actions from the meeting)

- Out‑of‑district transfers policy (open application window): motion passed 5–2. (mover: Doctor Payne; second: Miss Simmons) - District of Innovation amendments (including mid‑year revocation language): approved (vote recorded 5 in favor, 1 opposed, 1 abstention); counsel and staff said the cabinet review satisfied procedural requirements.

The board’s vote to permit transfer applications does not immediately change campus assignments or budgets; staff will present revenue projections and staffing implications once application numbers are known.

Ending: Trustees plan to finalize budget board goals and convene a budget committee of board members, administrators and community members to guide decisions for the 2026–27 fiscal year.