As of May 11, 2026, Austin Independet School District is addressing budget cuts as a solution to the $181 million deficit. District officials are proposing major cuts to athletic programs and fine arts departments across campuses.
Bowie students and coaches expressed concern that these reductions are going to lead to an increase in the dismissal of staff, less equipment, and entire programs being cut. According to head baseball coach Sam Degelia, the potential loss of teams affects campus life, especially for underclassmen trying to get involved in the community.
“We have a lot of freshmen who come out for baseball each year. If the budget cuts eliminate any of our teams, then we will be forced to only keep a very small number, if any, of students who try out,” Degelia said. “Our enrollment is big, so now you’re talking about having students not being able to participate in a sport.”
Communication from district officials regarding cuts has been limited and unclear. This has resulted in many individuals feeling frustrated, including junior cross country captain Clover Murray, who describes this vagueness as another example of students not being given the option to give their input.
“Student voices are not being considered by the district or by administrators; the only information about budget cuts that I’ve heard has come from teachers. Anytime teachers talk to students about them, they act like it’s taboo or like they’re not supposed to or allowed to tell us anything,” Murray said. “I’ve only heard that teachers will be cut and others will be forced to teach more classes for the same pay.”
For the upcoming 2026-2027 season, athletic departments are also worried about the impact these budget cuts have on overall student participation. Head cheer coach Hailey Scott emphasizes the uncertainty surrounding the program’s growth.
“My biggest concern is protecting the continued growth of our program. We are building a culture centered around discipline, leadership, skill development, and pride in representing our school,” Scott. “Our athletes work hard not only to improve athletically, but also to support their campus and community with dignity and professionalism. I would hate to see opportunities limited for students who are committed to that mission.”
As reported by KVUE news, leaders have identified $33.9 million in cuts at the campus level. Degelia warns that this will cause student-athletes and teachers to move districts.
“If sports teams get cut, then the student athletes are going to be the ones who suffer. A lot of kids want to play for their high school teams, and if we have teams cut, they will go elsewhere to continue to fulfill their dream,” Degelia said. “If we are limited to two teams, students are going to find other school districts to go to and play. We already lose kids to other schools in our district because of facilities, or lack of facilities.”
As more decisions are to be made, Murray believes that there are many questions to ask and that students should be informed about future advancements.
“I think it’s important that new students understand the economic situation that all extracurricular activities are facing at Bowie,” Murray said. “If I were to speak directly to AISD decision makers, I would inquire about why lots of money is going into other large construction projects, instead of funding teacher salaries and programs. I would try to talk about the importance of fostering all programs, as every extracurricular is someone’s passion.”
