Lancaster ISD staff: estimated TEA recapture ~$1.68 million; superintendent to sign attendance‑credit purchase as recommended
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Summary
Finance staff briefed trustees on TEA’s estimated 2025–26 recapture of $1,684,471 and presented five statutory options; staff recommended purchasing attendance credits and will bring a formal approval request at the next board meeting before the Sept. 1 TEA deadline.
Lancaster ISD finance staff told trustees Aug. 13 that the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) preliminary estimate of the district’s 2025–26 recapture (often called ‘Robin Hood’) is $1,684,471.
At the work session presenter Dana Shaw Moseley (finance staff) outlined the five statutory options available under Texas Education Code Chapter 49 to reduce local revenue subject to recapture: 1) consolidate with another district, 2) detach property, 3) purchase attendance credits from the state, 4) enter a partnership with another district, or 5) consolidate the tax base with another district. Moseley said the district staff recommends option 3: purchasing attendance credit from TEA.
Moseley told trustees the superintendent must sign the agreement for purchase of attendance credit and that the agreement is due Sept. 1, 2025, transmitted electronically through TEAL (TEA’s portal). Staff said the board minutes must reflect the statement required by TEA as part of the submission; Moseley said she will bring the agreement to the board for approval at the next regular meeting.
Why it matters: A recapture payment reduces the district’s state aid and local net revenue; the purchase of attendance credits is a common compliance path for property‑rich districts that want to reduce the TEA‑calculated recapture amount without structural changes such as consolidation or property detachment.
Ending: Staff will return with the formal attendance‑credit agreement and recommended board resolution for action at the next board meeting; the electronic deadline for submission to TEA is Sept. 1, 2025.
