The College Station Independent School District (CSISD) held a special board meeting on June 6, 2025, to discuss significant budgetary changes and educational initiatives for the upcoming school year. The meeting focused on teacher certification incentives, funding reallocations, and adjustments to staffing models in response to declining student enrollment.

One of the key topics was a new teacher certification incentive program. Under this initiative, teachers who were non-certified during the 2022-2023 or 2023-2024 school years but became certified by January 1, 2025, would receive a $1,000 bonus. However, concerns were raised about the program's limited applicability to many educators.

The board also discussed a partnership program aimed at retaining educators, which will be implemented in College Station next school year, with a cap of 40 participants per district. This initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance teacher retention amid ongoing challenges in the education sector.

A significant change discussed was the increase in the homestead exemption for homeowners, which has risen from $100,000 to $140,000. Additionally, a proposal will be on the ballot in November to increase the exemption for homeowners aged 65 or disabled from $10,000 to $65,000. While these changes are seen as beneficial for homeowners, they may lead to an increase in the tax rate due to reduced property values available for taxation.

The meeting also highlighted the district's budgetary adjustments, including a reallocation of funds back to individual campuses. This shift aims to empower schools to prioritize their own needs rather than relying on district-level allocations. Despite a decrease in overall student enrollment, the district plans to maintain campus budgets and ensure equitable funding based on the specific needs of each school.

Staffing models were reviewed, resulting in the reduction of some positions while also addressing the need for additional support in special education. The district aims to maintain a student-to-teacher ratio of 22:1, which necessitated the reduction of seven teachers and six instructional aides. However, new positions were created to meet the needs of special education students, ensuring compliance with required service minutes.

Overall, the meeting underscored the district's commitment to effective budgeting and resource allocation while navigating the complexities of declining enrollment and changing educational needs. The board will continue to monitor these developments as they prepare for the upcoming school year.