Boerne ISD trustees briefed on sweeping school finance changes, state budget

Boerne Independent School District trustees received a legislative briefing Aug. 27 that outlined major statewide school funding changes in the recently passed budget and House Bill 2. Kelly Rosti of the Texas Association of School Boards provided the update during the board's special workshop.

Rosti said the two-year state budget totals roughly $338 billion and dedicates over $100 billion to public schools. "That increase you see there, 9,300,000,000 included House Bill 2," she said, noting changes that include a $55 increase to the basic allotment and expanded school safety funding.

Why it matters: the funding changes affect local budgets, tax relief calculations and how districts report staffing and programs to the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Rosti warned that much of the practical effect will be determined in rulemaking that follows passage.

Most important details: Rosti told trustees the school safety allotment essentially doubled both the per-campus and per-student amounts. She said charter school facility support amounts were increased (previously capped at $60 million) though she did not report a specific new cap. The presentation named increases to the basic allotment and described a legislative maneuver that shifts some equalization funds for so-called "golden pennies" toward future inflationary increases to the basic allotment — a change Rosti said could affect districts near equalization thresholds.

Rosti also described how PEIMS coding decisions at TEA will affect implementation of teacher-related allotments and other formula elements. "We think that they've given pretty good guidance that TEA's alerted school districts to exactly who qualifies, but there's still some lingering questions," she said, urging districts to monitor TEA guidance and participate in rulemaking comment periods.

Board context and next steps: trustees asked clarifying questions about local impact and equalization; Rosti offered to follow up with detailed materials and the TASB bill-summary book she said is newly available. She emphasized that enactment of laws is often followed by extensive rulemaking at TEA and other state agencies, which will determine operational details districts must follow.

Rosti urged districts to watch for PEIMS coding updates and rule proposals and noted TASB will circulate guidance and opportunities to comment.

The board did not take any formal action on funding items during the workshop.