North East Independent School District could lose up to $8 million if the nearly 2,000 students living in district boundaries who were awarded private school vouchers take part in the program this fall.
Last week, school board trustees learned more about the projected impact of vouchers on the district’s financial outlook before passing a nearly $564 million budget for the upcoming academic year. District officials estimated NEISD will end the 2025-26 school year with a shortfall of just over $17 million.
Next year, the district’s financial picture remains murky as the board awaits final enrollment numbers. Officials said that 1,744 students living in district boundaries — all of whom may not currently attend NEISD schools — were awarded vouchers for the upcoming year. If all students currently attend NEISD and choose to use their vouchers at non-district schools, the enrollment drop could raise the budget shortfall by $8 million…