Keller Independent School District’s finance department presented a proposed 2026-27 budget to school trustees at their June 11 meeting, which would close a looming $12 million shortfall and produce a small surplus.

Budget Details

Finance staffers propose to erase the projected deficit by leaving open positions unfilled, reducing department budgets, and drawing down a reserve fund for workers’ compensation. Expenditures for facilities and buildings remain intact, and employees will receive a small pay increase.

Pamela Stranathan, chief financial officer, stated, ‘We were able to do department budgets and able to decrease those and not have to touch the building budgets.’ The proposed budget projects total revenues of $346.4 million for fiscal year 2026-27.

State Funding Uncertainty

On the state funding front, significant uncertainty remains. Keller Superintendent Cory Wilson said that, of the $8.5 billion approved by the Legislature for public education, the Texas Education Agency has only allocated $4 billion.

Trustees are scheduled to adopt the 2026-27 budget June 25. Certified property values from the Tarrant Appraisal District and final revenue calculations will follow in July, after which any necessary amendments will be considered.

Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.