Faced with a budget shortfall, Fort Bend school district officials are considering cutting back on the number of academies to open next year.

After reviewing the district’s plan to install new academies at four high schools and an advanced program at a middle school, the school board during a recent workshop expressed concerns that carrying out the plan with an $18 million deficit in the 2009-10 budget could deepen the district’s financial plight next year.

"Most districts are cutting programs rather than adding programs," said trustee David Reitz. "For budgetary reasons, we should probably delay the implementation of this by a year or two years."

Under the 2010-11 plan, Willowridge High School would see an “emerging technology” academy established while a math and science academy would be created at Dulles High and an "early college" academy housed at the district’s new high school being built in the Sienna Plantation area. Meanwhile, Hightower High’s engineering academy would be transferred to Elkins High.

The early college academy is designed for students not intent on completing a four-year college but to obtain an associate diploma and start a career early, said Jeannette Spain, director of academies.

In addition, as part of a plan to create a feeder system to ready students for the International Baccalaureate program started at Marshall High, work is ongoing at Missouri City Middle School to pave the way for launching an International Baccalaureate preparatory program, one year before an elementary-level International Baccalaureate preparatory program is slated to open at E.A. Jones Elementary.

The plans would expand the district existing academy system currently involving Bush, Clements, Willowridge, Hightower and Marshall high schools as well as Quail Valley Middle School.

Implementing all four academies would cost $500,000 - $125,000 per campus -- for a year. For the Missouri City Middle School’s International Baccalaureate preparatory program, $168,000 has been earmarked in the current-year budget.

Reitz, nevertheless, said he recognizes the value of academies, which are advanced-level programs with increased academic rigor.

“It gives students another reason to go to school and take their studies seriously. And it gives them an opportunity to explore another career interest early,” He said.

With student interest in academies on the rise, Superintendent Tim Jenney said the district should continue to grow academies but at a moderate pace.

"If we lose the forward momentum, we’ll lose the opportunities for our young people," he said.

Jenney proposed creating one to two new academies next year while delaying two or three for the future, an idea applauded by trustees.

Agreeing to the paced approach, trustee Susan Hohnbaum spelled out her concern about "a lot of money put in a very small area" considering the districtwide student population.

Trustee Marilyn Glover said she was “pleased with a compromise” Jenney proposed.

Much of the discussion was on what schools should get academies first, with consensus focused on Willowridge, opinions divided between Missouri City Middle School and Dulles High.

Reitz repeatedly urged consideration for the middle school’s international baccalaureate preparatory program, noting substantial work has been done at the campus, where two teachers have been hired at $100,000 for the program. Principal Trevor Lemon said teacher training is underway.

Officials will meet again to look more closely at costs for each program before making a final decision.