GRANGER –– Parents will be on the financial hook this academic year for collegecredit courses offered by the Granger Independent School District, with costs based on a student’s grade.
Faced with a mounting price tag for the coursework, that was the compromise reached by the school board last week.
“The good news is Granger ISD has so many students interested in taking this coursework. The bad news is the district doesn’t have the funds to pay for it,” said Superintendent Stephen Brosch.
For the past few years, the district has absorbed the cost of dual credit and OnRamps courses, which allow high school students to earn college credits.
A larger number of Granger High School students have enrolled in these programs for the 2025-26 school year and the district cannot afford the hefty price tag, officials said.
Board President Daryl Stefek proposed a compromise.
He suggested the district pay half of the costs if students earn an A or a B and accept the credit. If a student scores a C or lower, parents would be responsible for the entire payment.
Trustee Maggie Smith opposed the move, suggesting the district ease into a new payment arrangement for the following 2026-27 school year.
Ultimately, the board approved Stefek’s measure with Smith the only dissenting vote.
OnRamps is a program only offered by the University of Texas allowing high school students to earn UT credits.
Dual-credit courses can be taken through any participating community college or university.
In the last two years, Granger ISD paid $5,000 and $6,000 consecutively for these programs.
“For this (upcoming) school year, that number jumped to a record $41,000,” Brosch said.
His concerns center around budget planning, he added.
“I’m very, very worried about our budget next year… We’re projecting an additional $250,000 probably needed to support both campuses,” Brosch said.
Brosch and high school Principal Tawnya Shirocky estimated the number of students who might qualify for free or reduced course rates could drop the cost of dual credit and OnRamps courses to $26,000.
“Which is still $20,000 more than last year,” Brosch said.
Brosch told the board counselor Cathy Matta had already told parents during a meeting the school would cover the cost of dual-credit and OnRamps courses.
“She’s upset by the idea that she may have to return to parents and tell them otherwise,” Brosch said.
At one point during the discussion, Stefek asked what would happen if the district did not pick up the tab.
Trustee Roman Ramirez said he worries some pupils who benefit from these programs would choose not to take them due to the unexpected cost.
Also during the July 17 session, Brosch shared some good news with trustees.
Granger High students will attend a new high school and athletic facility this fall, paid through a bond passed in May 2022.
