Brazosport ISD projects multi‑million‑dollar shortfalls; CFO outlines cuts, consolidations and staffing reviews

Louie Gansino, the district’s chief financial officer, told the Brazosport ISD board that declining enrollment and average daily attendance (ADA) have created a structural budget problem that will require targeted reductions and operational changes.

"If we have built a budget for a full 12 months under the current fund structure, we would be looking at an estimated $8,000,000 deficit," Gansino said, and later summarized projections that the district faces an ongoing annual deficit in the range of roughly $11,200,000 to $12,300,000 if current trends continue.

The presentation outlined several contributors to that gap: a projected drop in enrollment from about 11,169 students in 2025 to 10,864 in 2026 and to roughly 10,673 by 2027; ADA that has fallen from historical levels near 92–93% to roughly 89–90%; and the expiration of one‑time federal pandemic funds that previously allowed the district to staff at higher levels. Gansino said the district currently projects total revenues near $121.6M for the current year, down from the adopted budget figure of about $123.6M.

To address the shortfall, the administration presented a package of measures that are already under review or proposed: reduction in property insurance premiums (estimated savings about $810,000), restructuring a stream program (~$336,000), eliminating certain tuition supports and AP‑testing fee coverage (~$140,000), a travel moratorium (~$250,000), reclassifying software licensing (~$1,000,000), and consolidating or realigning campuses (one example cited—merging two programs—estimated at about $400,000). The administration said additional discretionary reductions and staffing reviews are ongoing.

Gansino showed projected fund‑balance trajectories that, under current assumptions, would see the unassigned fund balance decline from a projected $32.0M in 2026 to negative territory by 2030–31 unless further action is taken. The presentation emphasized that roughly 87% of the district’s budget is payroll and benefits, limiting the amount that can be saved without affecting staff.

Board members pressed administration on the timing and impacts of potential campus consolidations and staff adjustments, and asked whether neighboring districts face similar pressures. Gansino said many districts are experiencing enrollment declines and that the district is pursuing options intended to protect classroom programs as much as possible while aligning staffing and facilities to enrollment.

The board did not take a vote on specific budget reductions during the meeting; the presentation set a public meeting date for budget and tax‑rate discussion and outlined a timeline toward official adoption and additional public hearings.

Ending: The district will continue drafting specifics for proposed reductions and return to the board through the budget development process and public hearings; the administration cautioned that additional steps will be needed to fully close the projected gap.