Austin ISD Board of Trustees Budget Work Session: April 30, 2026

The Austin Independent School District (Austin ISD) Board of Trustees held a budget work session on April 30, 2026, focusing on the district's preliminary budget, which currently shows a $181 million deficit. The discussion centered on various budget scenarios maintaining fund balances at 15%, 16%, or 17%, with property value declines and average daily attendance adjustments impacting the deficit projections. Trustees reviewed staffing allocations, including weighted formulas for teacher and counselor assignments based on student populations such as economically disadvantaged and special education students. The board emphasized the importance of protecting classroom resources, maintaining key staff positions, and carefully balancing cuts to avoid irreversible impacts on student outcomes. They also discussed the need for greater transparency in central office expenditures and departmental budgets, as well as exploring opportunities for transformational cost savings. Trustees expressed a preference to target a 15% fund balance to minimize immediate cuts while planning for future budget challenges. Action items included requesting a plan to restore the fund balance to 20% by a set deadline and further detailed budget proposals reflecting board priorities and community feedback.