HEB ISD trustees discuss voter‑approval tax‑rate election as state funding shortfall looms

The Hurst‑Euless‑Bedford Independent School District board of trustees debated whether to pursue a voter‑approval tax‑rate election to raise local revenue after trustees and staff described a potential budget gap tied to the ongoing Texas legislative session.

District staff warned the board that current Senate proposals do not provide funding sufficient to cover rising costs and that, without new revenue, the district may need to draw down roughly $26 million from reserve funds to balance next year’s budget. “House Bill 2 would have cut that pretty much almost in half,” a staff member said, referring to competing legislative plans. The same presenter said the senate substitute does not include funding for district benefit increases associated with…