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CFO outlines preliminary 2025–26 budget, projects potential deficit and awaits certified values
Summary
Galena Park ISD Chief Financial Officer Ben Poppe presented preliminary budget assumptions for 2025–26, reported a projected deficit under current law, and said the district awaits certified property values and legislative action; staff estimated an opening deficit and described next steps for hearings and tax‑rate adoption.
Galena Park Independent School District Chief Financial Officer Ben Poppe presented the district’s preliminary budget outlook for 2025–26 at the April 14 board workshop, saying the district is tracking legislation and awaiting certified property values before finalizing the budget.
Poppe summarized state legislative uncertainty and key dates, noting the governor’s sign‑or‑veto deadline of June 22 and a number of outstanding policy questions — per‑student allocations, special education funding, and homestead‑exemption proposals — that could alter revenue projections. He said the district is following proposed changes but will base its budget on current law for planning.
On current‑year results, Poppe said property‑value trends were close to budgeted expectations and that average daily attendance is down slightly; he reported the district had adopted a $9.4 million deficit for 2024–25 in the prior year but now estimates the current‑year deficit will be about $4.7 million and expects further improvement through vacancies and other measures.
For 2025–26 assumptions the CFO listed preliminary figures the board will review: average daily attendance and per‑student allotment assumptions, expected certified property values due from the Harris County appraisal process next week, a tentative decision to hold the tax rate steady pending final calculations, and an ongoing reduction exercise for department budgets (a 5% reduction applied to departments only). He said a right‑sizing committee had identified about 20 positions to be reduced through attrition.
Using current law assumptions, Poppe said the district’s preliminary projection for 2025–26 shows a $9.2 million deficit; he stressed that the number would change if the Legislature provides additional school funding or if property values, TRS‑activecare rates, or other inputs shift. He said the district will continue monthly updates and will hold public hearings, with a proposed budget hearing set for Aug. 26 and tax‑rate adoption in October.
Trustees asked for clarification about federal funding impacts; Poppe said the district had not seen federal changes that would directly affect the budget. He also noted a TRS‑activecare board meeting on June 3 that could affect insurance rate assumptions.
Poppe closed by outlining next steps: receive certified values from the Harris County Appraisal District, monitor legislative outcomes and TRS rates, refine current‑year projections through the next four months, and return to the board with updated estimates at monthly workshops through August.
No formal board action was taken on budget assumptions at the workshop.
