United Independent School District finance leaders told trustees in a July 2025 workshop they expect to present a proposed 2025–26 budget for adoption in August and described a shortfall in federal funding that will affect district programs and staffing.

Bridal Benavides, chief financial officer for United ISD, reviewed revenue assumptions and expenditures and said the district currently projects roughly $453,000,000 in maintenance and operations revenue and a proposed tax rate of 0.6692. "Our projected enrollment that we're using is 40,515 students," Benavides said. She said state revenue projections include roughly $241,300,000, which reflects an $11,000,000 increase tied to teacher salary funding in House Bill 2. Payroll was projected at approximately $378,000,000, or about 84% of the general fund budget.

On pending legislation, district staff summarized items being discussed in the governor’s special session beginning July 21 and referenced proposals including changes to STAAR and measures affecting property taxes. Benavides described Senate proposals to increase the homestead exemption (Senate Bill 4) and expand exemptions for seniors and people with disabilities (Senate Bill 23), noting any constitutional or voter action requirements and that the state could provide compensating aid.

Federal funding shortfall and staffing plan: district presenters said the Texas Education Agency did not release Title IV Part B funds as expected, leaving roughly $7,800,000 in funding the district had planned to receive. Rebecca Morales, associate superintendent for administration and student services, told trustees the shortfall affects about 78 employees supported by those grants and that district leadership has already developed a reassignment plan. "We don't have any employees that will be left without a job," Morales said, and the district committed to protecting employee pay while reassigning staff. Trustees were told the administration would provide an updated plan to the board the following Thursday outlining which grants were affected and where impacted staff would be reassigned.

Discussion and requests: Trustee Danielle Martinez and others asked for details on potential stipends or targeted compensation for roles she said were not covered equitably by the recent 2% pay increases (librarians, counselors, diagnosticians and similar positions). Finance staff said they would run numbers and present options; administration noted any additional increases would affect the budget and require board consideration.

Next steps: staff said they will continue budget workshops as needed, will finalize tax calculations after July 20 values are released, and aim to bring a budget for board consideration in August. Trustees asked for follow‑up documents, including the district’s reassignment plan for federally funded staff and the budget book that was distributed as a draft at the workshop.