CFISD outlines 2025-26 budget plan, HB2 funding effects and reinstatement of bus service; public speakers press for restored routes and higher para pay

CYPRESS-FAIRBANKS ISD — Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District staff on Wednesday detailed a proposed 2025'26 budget shaped by House Bill 2 state funding changes and local priorities, including teacher compensation increases and reinstating student bus routes. Public commenters told the board to reinstate all removed bus routes and to raise pay for paraprofessionals.

The proposal and legislative context Karen Smith, presenting the proposed general operating budget, said the district's estimated statewide gain from HB2 is roughly $62.6 million but that much of that funding is restricted or "flow-through" and not fully flexible. "The estimated deficit at 06/30/2025 is approximately $24,300,000," Smith said. She and other staff estimated the amount of flexible funding available to address the 2025'26 deficit at about $23.5 million.

Board and administration priorities identified in the presentation include: - Increasing starting teacher pay to $65,000. - Using the teacher retention allotment to provide $5,000 per teacher with 5+ years and $2,500 for teachers with 3'4 years of experience (as modeled by the district). - A proposed 4% increase to the greater of midpoint or base for non-classroom employees (estimated cost $14 million). - Raising the minimum hourly starting pay to $15 and reinstating transportation at an estimated $4.1 million. - Targeted stipend increases to address…