ECISD approves budget amendment after district reports 1,800-student enrollment drop

The Ector County Independent School District board on April 21 approved Budget Amendment No. 7 for fiscal 2025–26 after hearing from finance staff that state aid must be reduced to reflect an enrollment decline.

Finance staff told the board that enrollment fell by roughly 1,800 students this year, which reduces state aid revenue by about 13.7 percent. “The amendment is to reflect that,” the finance presenter said, adding that the cuts will reduce the district's fund balance to about 100 days but remain within the district's policy and state law requirement of at least 90 days of fund balance.

Staff noted several function-to-function budget moves (for payroll and HVAC activity) that are neutral to the total budget but required to maintain compliance with accounting rules. Trustees moved and seconded the amendment and approved it by hand vote after trustees said they had reviewed details with the CFO in small-group meetings prior to the public session.

The board did not identify specific dollar amounts for the total statewide-aid reduction in the public remarks beyond the percentage and the reported enrollment decline; finance staff said more detailed line-item accounting is in the board packet materials.

The amendment takes effect for the 2025–26 fiscal year and staff will incorporate the changes into subsequent financial reports to the board.