Hays CISD Enacts Major Budget Reductions for Upcoming School Year

The Hays Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Monday to approve $12.5 million in necessary budget cuts for the 2026-27 academic year. These reductions represent the most extensive financial adjustments the district has faced since 2011, according to Tim Savoy, the chief communications officer for Hays CISD.

Superintendent Eric Wright discussed the district's plan for these significant cuts during the board meeting. The board aimed to announce the budget early to provide affected educators ample time to seek new employment, as some positions will be eliminated.

Impacts on Staff and Administration

The approved budget totals $377 million, but officials determined these cuts were unavoidable due to funding shortfalls. Several roles within the district's administrative offices will either be eliminated or reclassified. Furthermore, educator layoffs are scheduled, including the removal of seven librarian positions.

A notable change affecting current staff is the elimination of stipends previously awarded to teachers for holding advanced professional degrees. Ruah Gleason, president of the Hays CISD Association of Texas Professional Educators, noted this loss impacts teachers who invested significantly in their education.

Gleason stated, “These stipend losses reduce their ability to bring their paycheck up just a tiny bit for things like their master's degree, their doctor's degree, which they've worked very hard for.” Savoy indicated the district anticipates losing a certain number of teachers following these announcements.

Increased Class Sizes and Program Reductions

The budget adjustments necessitate an increase in student-to-teacher ratios across several grade levels. Pre-K through fourth-grade classes will expand to a 24:1 ratio. Fifth-grade classes will see a ratio of 27 students, while sixth through twelfth-grade classes will increase to 30 students per teacher.

Parents and students voiced strong opposition to larger classes during the public comment period. Parent Fabiola Sanchez argued, "Larger class sizes make it more challenging to ensure consistent supervision, meeting each learner's needs and building relationships." Bella Beard, a junior at Hays High School, called the increase unacceptable, suggesting it diminishes class quality.

Cuts to Extracurriculars and Fine Arts

The budget shortfall will also impact student programs, particularly fine arts and library services. Some students will lose access to extracurricular fine arts programs such as band, dance, or choir.

Additionally, the district will implement participation fees for student athletics, a new measure for sports programs. Fees around $800 per school year are already required for students in band, orchestra, and dance programs.

Funding Challenges Driving the Decision

District officials emphasized that the primary driver for these cuts is insufficient state funding relative to rising operational costs. While inflation required an estimated $1,000 per-student funding increase, the state legislature only approved a $55 increase during the last session.

Savoy explained, “We've been navigating this post-pandemic inflation without any increase in funding in hopes that the state would step in and increase that basic allotment for students…but that just didn't materialize.” Another structural issue cited is Texas's attendance-based funding model, where the district is funded based on 93.7% attendance rather than 100% enrollment.

Savoy noted that despite the severe cuts, Hays CISD remains in a better fiscal position than many other Texas districts due to continued enrollment growth. However, Gleason concluded that the community must adjust expectations, stating, “Everybody's gonna have to bring down their expectations a little bit, sadly, and I hate that.”