Dr. Robert Sormani, superintendent of Manor Independent School District, announced on April 11 that the district is prepared to adopt a balanced budget in June, despite facing reduced revenue for the upcoming school year.
This update comes as school districts across Texas discuss financial challenges and consider how to address them while maintaining educational quality. Sormani said that thoughtful decision-making has allowed Manor ISD to prioritize teaching and learning, even as the district identifies ways to reduce costs and operate more efficiently.
“Manor ISD is in a position to adopt a balanced budget in June just as we did a year ago. That is something we are incredibly proud of. It reflects years of thoughtful decision-making and a clear focus on what matters most,” Sormani said. He added that some difficult choices have been necessary, including adjustments to bus transportation and reducing maintenance levels for HVAC equipment at campuses and facilities.
The superintendent noted that nearly 83 percent of the Maintenance and Operations (M&O) budget goes toward staff salaries, with remaining funds covering transportation, utilities, and general maintenance. Large-scale repairs or upgrades—such as those needed at Bluebonnet Trail Elementary and Decker Elementary due to aging infrastructure—require funding beyond what is available through M&O. For these needs, districts must pursue bond elections related to Interest & Sinking (I&S) funds.
Sormani stated there are ongoing discussions about possibly holding a bond election this fall but emphasized no final decisions have been made: “Because of the urgency of some of these facility needs, we have begun discussions about the possibility of holding a bond election as early as this fall. This is not a decision we take lightly… What I can promise is that we will continue to be transparent, thoughtful, and focused on what is best for our students and our community.” The district will host a virtual town hall in May along with an April 29 conversation with Trustees.
Manor Independent School District serves more than 10,000 students across eight elementary schools, three middle schools, one PreK-8 campus, three high schools and one alternative learning campus according to the official website. The district focuses on providing equitable education supporting each scholar’s development according to the official website, encourages community involvement through student-led initiatives according to the official website, supports college-level athletics opportunities according to the official website, and has received recognition for visual arts from the Texas Art Education Association according to the official website.
