PFLUGERVILLE, Texas — Pflugerville ISD leaders are having to make some difficult decisions about cutting and changing school programs in order to save money.
At a board meeting Thursday night, leaders looked at ways to cut costs to deal with a budget shortfall. They say they're seeing declining enrollment, due in part to more charter schools popping up in the area and a lack of support from the Texas Legislature.
At the meeting, Superintendent Dr. Douglas Killian didn't hold back his frustration about the budget shortfall, even saying he recently asked for a retirement statement.
"I'm just going to say that I'm fed up. I'm fed up that we're having to make these kinds of decisions, and when there's a [state budget] surplus," Killian said.
The meeting lasted until 1 a.m. Friday. The board ultimately decided to start a hiring freeze at the district's central office, reduce the KICKSTART karate program to three campuses and pass on to parents an annual $100 "co-fee" for extracurricular activities to supplement costs.
However, the district will continue honoring free and reduced lunch programs.