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West Oso ISD reviews 2026–27 budget plan that would cut stipends, tutors and positions
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Summary
Trustees reviewed a draft 2026–27 budget that relies on conservative ADA and property-tax assumptions, proposes cutting stipends and five district-funded tutors, and contemplates eliminating 17–23 positions (many through attrition) to rebuild a $6 million fund balance.
Board members and staff spent the meeting detailing a draft savings plan for the district’s 2026–27 budget that would reduce personnel-related spending, scale back stipends and eliminate a small number of district-funded tutors.
During public comment Christine Wilmot urged transparency about recent state funds, asking, “where did that money go?” The presenter responded that some state increases were used to raise salaries and that associated benefit costs (TRS and other employer contributions) increased the district’s total personnel expense.
Staff said the district’s revenue picture is unpredictable: three recent payments totaled roughly $2.7 million, $2.2 million and $1.7 million, and state disbursements have not been consistent since November. Enrollment is currently 1,784 but budget planning reduces that to an effective ADA of about 93 percent and uses a conservative per-ADA figure (roughly $15.70) for modeling.
Given that approximately 85 percent of the district’s operating budget is personnel, the presenter told trustees the most realistic levers to meet a balanced budget include targeted reductions to stipends (staff cited a 20 percent target, roughly $80,000), reducing five district-funded tutors, and eliminating 17–23 positions over the next two years—most by attrition. Staff also noted efforts to seek grants to retain tutoring support where possible.
Trustees discussed operational details and trade-offs: whether assistant principals at small elementary campuses are necessary, the role and placement of Communities In Schools (CIS) counselors, and how custodial contracts and campus cleanliness would be affected by staffing changes. The presenter said some custodial services are provided by contractors; trustees asked staff to monitor on-site cleanliness and reassign duties where appropriate.
The presenter recommended prioritizing fund-balance rebuilding and urgent facility needs—most notably junior-high roofing and maintenance—while continuing to seek one-time revenue (including real-estate sales) and grant offsets. The board requested written itemizations of stipend lines and more detail on which positions were targeted for attrition before final decisions.
The presentation closed with staff reaffirming the need to reach a minimum three- to six-month fund balance (approximately $6 million) from the current level (about $1.5 million) and to bring a more detailed, itemized plan to the next budget meeting.
