The Lake Travis ISD board of trustees discussed the $152.7 million proposed general operating fund budget at a May 20 meeting.
The overview
The proposed budget is $1.8 million higher than the fiscal year 2025-26 budget. Additionally, the budget includes a $1.2 million deficit, a decrease from the current $4.5 million deficit. This difference can be partially attributed to a 2% increase in home values in the area, resulting in higher tax revenues. There was a slight decrease in instruction costs and instructional administration, as well as increases to school administration and transportation costs from last year’s budget.
The district is expecting a decrease in the maintenance and operations tax rate, from $0.7122 per $100 valuation to $0.7054. The M&O tax revenue funds daily operations such as teacher salaries, supplies and extracurriculars. Including the interest and sinking tax rate of $0.3275, the total proposed tax rate is $1.0329 per $100. This represents a decrease of less than one percent from the current tax rate.
The general fund was budgeted with the assumption of 10,667 student enrollment and a 94.4% average daily attendance rate. This is a 104-student decline and a 0.5% increase in attendance rate, based on attendance trends. Public schools receive a basic allotment of $6,215 per student in attendance, a $55 increase from the previous rate set in 2019.
In case you missed it
The district approved increased compensation for all staff at the meeting. A 1% mid-point pay increase will have a $700,000 impact on the operating budget; salary and stipend adjustments will have a $425,000 impact on the operating budget; and a $1,000 retention incentive for all staff will have a one-time impact of $1.3 million on the fund balance.
“I’ll also add to that, appreciation to the board for considering a 1% increase,” Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Pam Sanchez said. “[It] does keep us competitive to our neighboring districts so that we can retain and recruit high-quality staff.”
What they’re saying
“I think it’s really important that now, especially as we’re getting into the legislative session coming up, that we really need to hold our politicians to the fire,” LTISD board President Lauren White said. “I encourage everyone to go out and do some research on who you plan to vote for and if your candidate supports public education. ... See what they’re really wanting to do long-term.”
Looking ahead
The district will hold a public hearing to discuss the proposed budget and tax rate June 17. The adoption of the budgets will be considered at that meeting, and the tax rates will be adopted in August.
