Boerne Independent School District trustees adopted the district’s 2025–26 General Fund, Child Nutrition Fund and Debt Service Fund budgets at their June 16 meeting and discussed a Competitive and Strategic Financial Plan that would require voter approval to add three "golden pennies" to the tax rate.
The trustees approved the budgets after a public hearing and budget workshops in which staff outlined how recently passed state legislation (House Bill 2 and related property tax bills) changes school finance and leaves Boerne with a net estimated gain from the legislature but also a $2.4 million reduction tied to a late legislative change that affects several districts.
District leaders said HB 2 provides new state allotments — including a teacher retention allotment that funds $2,500 for teachers on years 3–4 and $5,000 for teachers on year 5 and beyond, a $106 per‑pupil fixed cost allotment, and increases for school safety and special education. Chief business staff estimated the district would receive roughly $3.8 million in net new state funding but noted much of that is directed by the state to teacher compensation and other prescribed allotments.
Why it matters: Trustees and staff said the CSFP is designed to make the district more competitive in teacher pay and to address long‑running gaps between local funding and surrounding districts. Under the plan the board would seek voter approval for three additional golden pennies; the district projects that revenue would allow it to raise starting teacher pay to $60,000, boost starting hourly pay for paraprofessionals and auxiliary staff, add a 3% professional raise, and contribute $60 monthly toward employee health premiums.
Board members and staff emphasized constraints: state law ties much new funding to specific uses, and a late change in the final HB 2 package removed a hold‑harmless provision Boerne had relied on, reducing expected revenue by about $2.4 million. Staff said the district will republish required public notices as values and tax information are finalized in July and August and that the tax‑rate outcome depends on certified values and TEA guidance.
During the discussion the board also approved a resolution to engage an efficiency auditor (Weaver) in preparation for a possible tax ratification election; staff said the efficiency audit will be performed in the same timeframe as the financial‑statement audit and will produce an informational report for public review prior to any election.
What happens next: Staff will publish final budget documents and updated tax notices after appraisal district value certification and TEA releases. If the board decides to pursue a voter‑approval tax ratification election, the efficiency audit will be completed and additional community information and timelines will be published.