After a heated debate among Judson Independent School District board members and what was looking to be a split vote that could go either way, district administrators took closing a middle school and two elementary schools off the budget cutting table. Though, it seems this decision could mean bigger pay cuts for teachers and all employees across the district just as state legislatures are finalizing a bill that could bump teacher pay.
Judson ISD is digging itself into a financial hole with budget deficits compiling year over year. For the next school year, the district is facing a nearly $46 million shortfall. With the budget already at a deficit of $19.2 million for the 2024-25 school year, this would mean the school district would have less than 50 days of operational costs, approximately, covered in its reserve funding. Ideally, they’d have 60 to 75 days covered in the fund balance.
Closing Judson Middle School would’ve netted $1.7 million in annual savings, per Judson ISD administrators. Officials were also eyeing the closure of Candlewood Elementary School and the Franz Leadership Academy, which would’ve reduced the deficit by another $1.7 million total…