Eagle Pass ISD superintendent outlines balanced budget, warns salary increases will use reserves if state aid falls short

Superintendent Jorge Mijares on Tuesday presented the Eagle Pass Independent School District's proposed budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year, telling the board the budget is essentially complete but that any statewide salary increases approved by the Texas Legislature would change the district's revenue and appropriations figures.

Mijares said the district's budget — about $179,500,000 in total appropriations — already commits roughly 82% of funds to salaries and fringe benefits and that taxes account for roughly 17% of revenue. He said most of the district's discretionary money sits in the maintenance and operations (M&O) fund and that one‑time capital projects and targeted spending have reduced that fund's balance.

The presentation matters because the board must adopt a legally formatted budget by August and because state funding decisions this spring could increase both revenues and mandated spending on employee pay. Mijares told trustees that an infusion from the Legislature intended for salary increases would be largely designated for personnel costs and that any increase the state provides would likely be passed through to employee pay.

Mi…