Texas Schools Face Tough Cuts, Need More Funding

0:00It's March 31st. El Paso News today starts now, AI-powered and ready. I'm Cory with the story. Texas school districts are staring down some tough budget cuts as they gear up for the next school year. Hayes consolidated independent school district, just approved slashing $12 million, wiping out or reshaping 125 positions. And suspending stipends for over 900 employees, that includes cutting more than 60 teaching jobs and bumping up class sizes. Meanwhile, San Antonio independent school district is eyeing nearly $20 million in reductions to tackle their growing deficit. These moves come as inflation drives of costs across the board. Families and educators are feeling the squeeze, with bigger classes and fewer staff, meaning less support for kids. Trustees blame rising expenses that outpace what the state provides, even after the Texas legislature finally bumps student funding for the first. Time since before COVID, experts like Bob Hopinski from Raise Your Hand Texas say that $8.5 billion from the last session helped, but schools need another.

1:0819.6 billion just to match their buying power from 2019. As more districts crunch numbers on enrollment shifts, expect further cuts soon. Pushing advocates to rally for real funding fixes in the next. Legislative Round