HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- More than 160,000 students are expected to return to Houston Independent School District classrooms as the new school year begins, but the district is starting the year with fewer students and less funding.

HISD projects enrollment will be down about 2. 4%, or roughly 4,000 students, from last year.

The decline comes as the district prepares for a projected $50 million reduction in funding and implements several changes, including school consolidations, new bus routes and changes to its free lunch program.