Santa Fe ISD adopts 2025–26 budget after public hearing that highlighted HB2 mandates and disaster costs

The Santa Fe ISD Board of Trustees on June 16 adopted the district'025-26 budgets for the general fund, nutrition services and debt service after a public hearing in which district staff described how House Bill 2, a larger homestead exemption and recovery costs from Hurricane Barr reshaped revenues and spending plans.

District presenter Alex Sanchez said the budget the board voted to adopt assumes $52,927,292 in general-fund expenditures and roughly $53,200,000 in revenue, and includes a preliminary tax-rate projection and contingency steps the board may take if state funding arrives later. "The state has promised to make up that cost and send that directly to us. However, we have not seen any of that yet," Sanchez said during the hearing.

Why it matters: House Bill 2 requires additional pay for certified classroom teachers and changes parts of the state funding formula; Santa Fe ISD officials said the state—ommitment to cover those costs has not yet been paid and implementation guidance from the Texas Education Agency is still pending. The board adopted a budget that incorporates the district—xpectation of state reimbursement but also sets aside options the board can use if funding timing or amounts change.

Major point…