United ISD adopts 2025–26 budget, orders six‑week financial reviews and limits non‑campus hiring

United Independent School District’s Board of Trustees on May 14 adopted the district’s official 2025–26 budget and approved a set of cost‑saving personnel recommendations that include regular six‑week financial updates, holding most vacancies except for essential campus personnel, and attendance campaigns for students and staff.

The budget the board approved is based on a projected student enrollment of 40,515 and reflects actions taken June 25 to increase compensation — including raises driven in part by House Bill 2 — and to add targeted pay adjustments for hard‑to‑fill roles. Administration told the board it will closely monitor enrollment and spending and provide routine progress reports so trustees can adjust spending as the year progresses.

The measures matter because payroll represents the largest share of district spending. “Eighty‑five percent of our budget is payroll,” said Elila Fotos, the district chief financial officer, during the presentation. Fotos and other administrators told trustees they had frozen some nonessential vacancies already and recommended further vacancy controls outside of classroom and other direct student services.

Trustees and public commenters pressed administrators for additional detail about the district’s fiscal picture. Jorge Mendoza, a member of the public, told trustees the 2024–25 deficit was “estimated to be between $32 million and $35 million,” and asked for regular reports comparing actual revenues and expenses to budgeted amounts. Trustees responded by directing staff to provide six‑week updates on enrollment, attendance and fiscal status so the board can take earlier action if revenue falls short of projections.

Board members debated pay‑equity requests raised during the budget discussion, particularly by school librarians and some specialists. Trustees said they want a systematic review before expanding salary commitments. “If there is evidence that a position’s duties have increased, then we will consider adjustments,” a trustee said during deliberations. Administrators said some pay adjustments earlier in the process were designed to bring specific positions to market value and that additional reviews could be scheduled during the fiscal year.

On tax matters tied to the budget, the board also approved a property tax rate of 0.721655, which administration said represents a technical increase in the district’s ability to collect new revenue but does not necessarily mean individual homeowners will pay more if their appraised value did not rise. Board counsel and finance staff explained the rate reflects state calculations (including maximum compressed rate rules) and that changes in individual tax bills are primarily driven by appraisal values set by the appraisal district, not the district’s chosen rate.

The board voted to instruct staff to prioritize repair and maintenance that address health and safety needs rather than cosmetic projects, and asked for operational flexibility to address emergency hiring or purchases between board meetings. Trustees also approved recommendations to explore boundary adjustments if enrollment shifts create imbalances between neighboring campuses.

The board approved the budget and associated personnel directions by motion. Administration said it will present the first six‑week update after the district’s first six‑week attendance period ends (around Sept. 19) and continue regular reporting thereafter.

Trustees emphasized the intent behind the measures: to protect classroom services while exercising financial caution in the face of declining enrollment and rising costs.

The budget adoption and the new oversight cadence will shape district staffing and spending decisions through fiscal 2026.