Willis ISD is estimated to have a surplus budget for its 2025-26 fiscal year following the impact of House Bill 2, which will provide permanent raises for educators and support staff; overhaul how the state funds special education; and set aside money for schools to spend on fixed costs, such as utilities and insurance.

WISD Chief Financial Officer Garrett Matej presented updated numbers at a budget workshop July 9.

“I am happy to present a balanced budget. ... The last few months have been just trying to interpret what this funding bill means,” Matej said.

How we got here

HB 2, signed by Gov. Greg Abbott on June 4, establishes a $3.7 billion teacher retention allotment, which will be used to provide permanent raises for teachers with at least three years of classroom experience. Under this, teachers who have three to four years of experience will receive a $2,500 annual raise, while those with five years of experience will receive a raise of $5,000, as previously reported by Community Impact.


What to know

Under the projected budget, the district’s revenue is projected to be $96.86 million, while the projected expenditures for the district are $96.83 million, which includes the following:
  • $6.3 million for school administration
  • $4.28 million for student transportation
  • $11.37 million for maintenance and operations
The tax rate for the district has the potential to be $0.987 per $100 valuation for the 2025-26 fiscal year, a $0.0479 difference from the previous year’s tax rate of $1.0349 per $100, Matej said.

What else?

According to the district's budget workshop presentation, the district has sold $87.7 million in bonds, and once that money is received around the end of July, it will fund the construction of the:
  • Transportation center
  • Willis High School parking lots
  • WHS ninth grade center