KATY, Texas (Covering Katy News) — Katy Independent School District is projecting a $29 million budget deficit after enrollment fell nearly 1,640 students short of projections, triggering a $17.5 million cut in state funding.
The school board heard the grim financial picture Feb. 16 at a work study meeting, where Chief Financial Officer Chris Smith said the district budgeted for 97,161 students but has only 95,512 enrolled.
“I would’ve said that’s a very conservative enrollment number,” Smith said of the original projection. “And so it was shocking that we are falling significantly short of that.”…