Leander ISD finance and leadership staff told the Board of Trustees on Tuesday that the district faces a multi‑year structural deficit that will require a combination of expense reductions and revenue strategies, and trustees directed staff to return with specific analyses under an accelerated timeline.

Finance staff presented multi‑year projections showing a near‑term net deficit. The district’s current projection showed a roughly $16.1 million shortfall above the board’s fund‑balance threshold in the next budget cycle; staff projected larger gaps in subsequent years (figures discussed as roughly $22.6 million and $25.0 million in the two following years, respectively). Administrators said enrollment this year was about 650 students below the budgeted estimate, a shortfall that staff estimated could reduce revenue by about $6 million if it persists.

Superintendent Dr. Gearing and finance staff told trustees there is no single “silver‑bullet” solution and described a tool belt of levers including revenue generation, program consolidation, staffing changes and potential facility repurposing. Trustees and staff discussed the tradeoffs of each approach.

Trustees discussed a draft resolution — modeled on language used by other districts — that would direct administration to produce specified analyses, timelines and options and to return to the board with recommendations. Supporters said a written resolution would give the board clearer direction and allow administration to focus on the board’s priorities; detractors said the board has already given direction and the timing for some analyses remains tight.

Trustee Francesca Romans said she needed more time to analyze the draft material handed to trustees that afternoon and asked for a special meeting. Trustee Anna Smith and others agreed. Legal counsel advised of minimum public‑notice requirements for special meetings; the board scheduled a special called meeting for September 30 to continue long‑range planning and to receive the additional information requested.

In the discussion trustees emphasized the need to protect the student experience while confronting the budget deficit. Several trustees asked for metrics tied to any chosen strategy and for a timeline that would allow the board to act before staffing decisions are finalized; staff said staffing projections for the next budget are prepared in early February and that moving certain transfer determinations earlier in the year could allow capacity information to inform staffing.

No final budget decisions were adopted; the board approved a separate routine budget amendment (FY26 Budget Amendment No. 2) to roll forward purchase orders from the prior year. Trustees said they expect a sequence of staff recommendations and will consider a possible resolution to set clearer board direction at the special meeting.