Harlandale ISD trustees review 2025–26 budget, outline $1,500 stipends and 2% pay increase for support staff

Harlandale ISD trustees and staff on Wednesday reviewed a preliminary 2025–26 budget that projects general‑fund revenues of about $132.3 million and projected expenses of roughly $143.6 million, producing a projected deficit of $11,260,695.

Superintendent Mr. Sotto and Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Mr. Flores outlined a compensation plan that uses the state’s teacher retention allotment and other targeted funds to provide stipends and modest across‑the‑board raises. “The proposed 2025–26 compensation plan will utilize the projected amount of $3,083,850 of the teacher retention allotment,” Flores said during the presentation.

The district recommended three principal elements: (1) one‑time stipends of $1,500 for groups of teachers identified under Texas Education Agency eligibility rules (including teachers with one or two years of experience as described in the district presentation); (2) a 2% general pay increase for employees on the classified, clerical and paraprofessional pay scales; and (3) equitable adjustments and targeted retention dollars for other staff not covered by the TEA eligibility rules. Flores told trustees the plan would also use the full projected $405,319 the district expects from the support‑staff allotment and about $1.2 million from local/state funds to complete the package.

The presentation explained a TEA clarification of the term “classroom teacher,” citing Texas Education Code 5.001 as the state definition used to determine eligibility for the teacher retention allotment. Trustees and staff discussed how the state’s prescriptive funding — which identifies which classroom teachers are eligible and at what amounts — constrains district choices about broader pay increases. “The state of Texas has made this decision for us,” Sotto told the board, describing the allotment’s limits and the district’s options for responding.

Board members and staff discussed vacancies in instructional areas (dual language, elementary Spanish, ELAR, choir, math, science, mariachi and special education) and noted that returning some staff to classroom roles could affect eligibility for TEA stipends. Trustees asked staff to provide additional details and usage reports for curriculum‑related renewals and for analysis of which vacancies might allow employees to maximize the new state funding.

Trustees were also briefed on related budget items included in the general‑fund projection: continued employer health‑insurance contributions (an incremental $60 toward premiums added last year, on top of an existing $350 employer contribution), funds for curriculum work and stipends, and the planned purchase of two replacement school buses. The presentation showed the district’s five‑year projection and reiterated that the district remains engaged in program reviews to reduce recurring costs.

The board did not take formal action on the budget during the work session; staff said they would aim to present a finalized budget for adoption at the upcoming regular meeting after providing additional requested detail. Staff also noted the appraisal district’s preliminary certified values timeline and that any final tax‑rate decisions will follow receipt of certified property values.

Trustees asked staff to return with supporting data and clarifications — including a clearer breakdown of which positions and vacancy strategies might allow employees to qualify for TEA stipends — before the Monday board meeting where the budget will be considered further.