Hard discussions about budget cuts and cost savings continued in the fourth meeting of the Operational Sustainability Committee (OSC) on April 15, 2026 in the board room of the William Malish Building. Members broke into different focus groups by topic to search for ways to find feasible cuts to offset the combination of declining enrollment and significant inflationary pressures on operational funding.
Paige Meloni, SCUC Superintendent, told committee members every public school district in Texas is undergoing these financial struggles - compounded by the lack of state funding and unfunded mandates imposed by legislators.
“I was at an area superintendents’ meeting today, and we were asked if we’re adopting a deficit budget,” Meloni said. “One hundred percent of the districts are. You have to make those adjustments - the revenue hasn’t kept up.”
There was some good news about the upcoming budget when Brian Moy, Chief Finance Officer for SCUC, disclosed that intense discussions about cost-cutting has already netted $2.5 million in savings for the 2026-27 school year. However, he cautioned the reductions are “low-hanging fruit” and harder decisions remain.
“Saying no is very difficult because we want the kids to have their programs,” said Sylvia Salas-Brown, committee member and parent of a Samuel Clemens HS student. Employees are affected as well, Salas-Brown said, as stipends are under review. “Coaches and teachers get here early and they’re here late. And it’s pennies on the dollar for that effort. It’s gutting me.”
Solid financial stewardship through the years has helped SCUC escape drastic cuts and school closures that area school districts have recently undergone - but difficult decisions remain - making the responsibilities cast upon committee members that more agonizing.
“We’re really lean as it is,” said Letticia Sever, SCUC Board President. “We’ve been lean for years so to cut from what isn’t there - it’s really hard on this group.”
State data backs up Ms. Sever’s assertion. The Texas Education Agency recently released financial data for the 2024-25 school year for all 1,019 school districts. SCUC ranks 989th in revenue per student at just over $9,500 per enrollee.
“The state average is more than $10,800 per student,” said Moy. “It is difficult to make cuts when you have the smallest pot of money to start with. If SCUC were funded at the state average, it would yield more than $19 million for us.”
Sever hopes the OSC recommendations will leave room for benchmarks so adjustments can be made if budget reductions go too deep or the district’s financial outlook improves.
The committee will reconvene on May 13 for further discussion, followed by a final meeting on May 20 to solidify recommendations that will be presented to the Board of Trustees for consideration.
