What you need to know
The approved budget outlines $143.1 million in revenues and expenses. Erich Morris, assistant superintendent of operations, told the board that the budget is still balanced.
Compared to the school districts in the surrounding area, Morris added that MISD “compares favorably” even with the current situation regarding school funding. The Texas Legislature designated $4 billion for public education funding in the 88th legislative session in 2023, but measures to provide that funding to schools failed to pass, Community Impact previously reported.
“I would caution you to know that there is a wall for all districts that's either front and center or coming within the next year or two if the state legislature does nothing new,” Morris said.
The board also approved a tax rate of $0.9895 per $100 valuation.
A closer look
MISD trustees also approved an alternative budget should the voter-approval tax rate election, which will occur in November as previously reported by Community Impact, pass.
The alternative budget includes a total of $150.5 million in revenues and expenses.
If passed, the district will use the additional funding generated by the VATRE to do the following:
- Increase teacher pay based on years of service to the district
- Create a loyalty program where teachers, school resource officers and hourly employees would be offered additional one-time pay increases based on their years of service to MISD
- Provide raises to school resource officers and add those positions to new schools
The district will host an open house to explain the VATRE at 5 p.m. Aug. 29 at Magnolia High School, 14350 FM 1488, Magnolia.
Early voting in the November election starts Oct. 21.
