Administrators present draft budget scenario showing proposed raises, $18.7 million gap under current‑law revenue; board told adoption meetings set for 24th or

Administrators told trustees at the June 11 Laredo ISD budget workshop that a draft budget built on current‑law revenue assumptions plus proposed pay increases creates an estimated $18.7 million shortfall before applying offsets.

Miss Ayala, the district finance representative, presented the revenue and appropriation scenario and said staff recommended keeping the revenue estimate at the current-law figure until the district receives certified values. Finance staff included proposed payroll increases in the model (the presentation referenced a compensatory package including teacher and staff raises) and said the result was an $18.7 million deficit under the current assumptions. Ayala and staff noted that amount would be reduced after applying anticipated state program funding and other offsets discussed at the meeting.

Administrators walked trustees through the timeline for public notice and adoption. Trustees were told the district will publish required budget notices in time to allow a budget-adoption meeting on the 24th and — if needed — on the 25th (to meet a 10‑day public-notice requirement referenced by staff). The board received a sample of the legal publication language that must be posted prior to any adoption vote.

Trustees asked how the district would cover near‑term payroll needs if the final state allotments or certified values change. Ayala said the district could use fund-balance or other local sources to front two payroll months that fall outside the state fiscal-year recognition and would then account for any reimbursements or coding when state funds are received.

Trustees asked for additional detail on the district's assigned and unassigned fund balances, interest earnings on those balances and the projected out-year fiscal position. Finance staff said the general fund balance and investment earnings appear in the budget's revenue lines and that committed or assigned balances are used for planned projects; staff agreed to provide line-item reports and a clearer reconciliation within the public-facing budget document before adoption.

No formal vote took place at the workshop. Staff were directed to finalize publication materials, produce updated revenue and cost estimates after certified values are received, and return to the board at the scheduled adoption meeting.