Weslaco ISD projects $12.3 million from state school-finance law; majority earmarked for pay raises

WESLACO, Texas — The Weslaco Independent School District board held a June public hearing and workshop on the proposed 2025–26 budget during which Superintendent Elias Rivera and trustees outlined revenue estimates and how the district plans to use new state funds from House Bill 2.

The district's preliminary budget projects about $12.3 million in additional state revenue tied to House Bill 2, district leaders said. Trustee President Mister Nieto summarized the tradeoffs, saying, "12.3 is all the new revenues. 10.5 is what we're paying out in just salaries increases." The board later voted to adopt the 2025–26 general fund and debt‑service budgets, including the compensation plan.

Why it matters: Weslaco ISD's planning affects staffing, campus allotments and property taxpayers across the district. The new state dollars are largely restricted by purpose and, as leaders noted, will primarily cover pay increases mandated or encouraged by state law. The district must still set tax rates after the property‑value roll is finalized July 31.

District leaders told the public the budget package combines three principal revenue sources: local property tax collections; state funding distributed mainly through the Texas Education Agency and driven by average daily attendance (ADA); and federal funds…