Socorro ISD CFO outlines budget plan aimed at ending conservatorship, projects $7M revenue gap
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Summary
CFO David Solis told trustees the district is planning for a 725‑student enrollment decline — about a $7 million revenue impact — and is building next year's budget to be balanced so the district can meet conservatorship exit criteria; trustees were briefed on timelines for April'June actions.
Trustees on Wednesday were presented a budget-development plan the district says is intended to produce a balanced operating budget and help end the state conservatorship.
CFO David Solis told the board the district is planning for a projected enrollment decline of about 725 students next year, which he estimated could reduce revenue by roughly $7,000,000. The plan assumes an attendance rate near 94 percent and keeps current teacher‑to‑student ratios while prioritizing essential staffing and long‑term sustainability.
"We are building this budget with the goal of adopting a balanced budget," Solis said, describing a multi-step process that includes receiving preliminary certified property values in April, sharing a draft proposed budget in May, and completing public notice, a hearing and final adoption in June.
The conservator overseeing the district's state appointment has framed a balanced budget as one of two remaining exit criteria. Mike Guinahosa, the conservator, told trustees the district has made progress on best-practice procedures and continuous-improvement systems but still needs adoption of a balanced budget and a strengthened parental‑involvement/communication plan to conclude conservatorship.
Trustees also heard that the budget advisory committee has worked through choices and tradeoffs and modeled a starting point that assumes ending the year with a $2,000,000 surplus if feasible. Solis said the committee examined roughly a $6,000,000 gap during an exercise that considered compensation, facilities needs (including HVAC and tracks) and capital items such as student devices and security cameras.
Members asked for clarity about next dates: preliminary property values and a committee recommendation in April and additional board workshops in May ahead of the June adoption.
The board did not take a vote on the budget at the meeting; Solis said staff will return with a draft that reflects updated property valuations and committee input. The district plans to earmark additional one-time proceeds from any asset sales for student-technology needs if adopted.
