Georgetown ISD officials say preliminary $3.7 million shortfall for 2025–26, outline staffing and program cuts

Georgetown Independent School District leaders told the board March 3 that early budget modeling shows a projected $3.7 million operating shortfall for the 2025–26 school year and outlined a menu of options to close the gap.

“Looking at a deficit of 3.7 million,” Jennifer Hannah, chief financial officer for Georgetown ISD, said during the workshop, stressing the number assumes no compensation increases and is based on preliminary enrollment and property-value estimates.

The presentation used current legislative proposals and local assumptions: a demographer projection of 14,060 students (1.2% growth) and an estimated average daily attendance of 13,076; a preliminary 7% increase in property values (pending certified values from the Williamson Central Appraisal District); and a modeled revenue figure of about $168.4 million with roughly $18.3 million in recapture to the state.

Hannah reviewed how pending legislation could affect the district’s finances. On the Senate side, she outlined Senate Bill 26 (Sen. Crichton), which would create a teacher retention allotment for districts with…