Bastrop ISD Board of Trustees Special Board Meeting 4/28/2026

The Bastrop Independent School District Board of Trustees held a special board meeting on April 28, 2026, focused primarily on the upcoming fiscal year's budget planning and priorities. Key procurement-related discussions included budget allocations for staffing, safety and security enhancements, and compensation adjustments. The board reviewed scenarios for teacher pay raises (1% vs. 2% midpoint increases), funding for adding three additional school safety officers, and raising starting pay for paraprofessionals to $15 per hour. The board also discussed the impact of no student growth projections, potential use of fund balance (currently at 4.2 months) to cover budget shortfalls, and the financial implications of new state mandates on safety staffing and virtual learning programs. The board expressed concerns about balancing competitive compensation with fiscal responsibility and the risk of depleting fund balance reserves. No formal votes were taken during this meeting, but members provided direction to present budget scenarios including these priorities at the May meeting for potential adoption in June. Additional procurement considerations included equipment and vehicle purchases for new officers and investments in child nutrition and debt service funds.