El Paso Standard

Declining enrollments could cost El Paso school districts millions of dollars if the Texas Education Agency decides to switch funding back to attendance levels.

School districts were funded at pre-pandemic levels, with pressure put on Gov. Gregg Abbott and Texas Education Commissioner to extend this protection against declining enrollments for the rest of the school year, El Paso Matters reported.

Data from mid-October showed statewide enrollment dropped by approximately 156,800 students compared to last year at the same time, or a 3% decline. The decline in enrollment for El Paso, Socorro and Ysleta school districts was higher at a 5% drop, or a combined 7,000 students. Some of that comes from a continuing enrollment decline for the region, but these numbers are lower than projected in district budgets.

The El Paso ISD’s enrollment was approximately 50,700 after projections in May for 54,000 students, El Paso Matters reported. The 8% decrease in enrollment was more than double the decrease seen from 2018-29 to 2019-20.

El Paso ISD could lose $7.3 million or more if the funding method is switched back. An $8 million loss of state funds would hit Ysleta ISD if the provision ends, Chief Financial and Operations Officer Lynly Leeper said. The district expected a 500-student drop, but enrollment is down by 2,000.

Leeper said to avoid drawing funds from the district’s fund balance they will monitor expenditures. Filling vacancies may be delayed and building maintenance may be put on hold.

A $5.4 million state funding decrease would hit the Socorro ISD, Chief Financial Officer Tony Reza told El Paso Matters.