by Nicole Bradford
With no help from the state legislature and inflation reaching nearly 20 percent, things appear tough all over for Texas school districts. However, Pearland has much to be thankful for, says PISD Superintendent Larry Berger.
“Things have not necessarily gotten better for public education as you look at school districts around us, their ballooning budget deficits and cutting of staff,” Berger said in the school board’s second budget workshop May 14.
Conroe ISD is facing a projected $17.7 million deficit in the coming fiscal year, and Katy ISD is predicting a $7.8 million shortfall, for example.
Pearland ISD has no budget shortfall forecast for the 2025 fiscal year.
“I’m not standing here saying we have all the money we need,” Berger told the board. “We continuously have more special education students enrolled, more economically disadvantaged students, more behavior concerns, so we will have to look at our staffing and figure out how do we answer those concerns.”
Pearland ISD is certainly affected by inflation, stagnant funding, and declining enrollment, Berger said. Enrollment for the coming year is expected to be just under 21,000.
However, voters on May 4 approved a combined $105 million in facility and technology upgrades to free up the district’s operating budget for instruction.
“I just want the community to know we appreciate your support, and the financial plan is a reality,” Berger said.
The PISD budget is set to be adopted June 11, followed by a tax rate in August after certified property values are determined by July 25 and the state issues a final maximum compressed tax rate.
