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Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District (CFBISD) has launched a new website outlining its financial challenges and plans to reduce spending as declining student enrollment and rising operating costs put increasing pressure on the district's budget.
The district's Planning for a Strong Future website details its recent financial history, staffing reductions, campus consolidations and strategies for addressing a projected deficit exceeding $24 million for the 2026-27 school year.
CFBISD lost approximately 1,500 students during the 2025-26 school year, bringing enrollment to just over 22,500. The district projects an additional decline of approximately 1,000 students in 2026-27, representing an estimated $7 million loss in state funding.
Because Texas public school funding is tied to average daily attendance, declining enrollment directly affects the district's revenue. CFBISD also cites rising operating expenses, limited growth in state funding and the expiration of federal pandemic relief funding as factors contributing to its financial challenges.
The district reports approximately $15 million in savings by the end of the 2025-26 school year through measures that included consolidating four campuses, reducing operating expenses, evaluating programs and eliminating positions through attrition.
Additional reductions are being guided by a Texas Association of School Boards staffing study. The district estimates that aligning staffing levels with enrollment could generate more than $14 million in savings across its operations. These changes affect central administration, campus staffing, health services, special education, technology and other departments.
Personnel costs account for 83.7% of the district's general operating budget, making staffing a significant part of its financial strategy. CFBISD says it is prioritizing classroom instruction and essential student services while providing career and mental health resources to affected employees.
The new website includes information about the district's financial history, revenue and expenditures, property tax rates, staffing decisions and the effects of state and federal mandates that are not fully funded.
It also explains why money approved through the district's 2023 bond program cannot be used to cover its operating deficit. Those funds are designated for construction, renovations, campus replacements and safety improvements.
CFBISD plans to update the website as its financial planning and cost-reduction efforts continue. Residents, parents and employees can review the district's financial information and frequently asked questions at cfbisd.edu.
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