Humble ISD presents preliminary $537 million 2025–26 budget; proposes 3% general pay increase and recurring investments

HUMBLE ISD — Humble ISD officials presented an initial look at the district’s 2025–26 budget during a May 6 budget workshop, outlining a roughly $537 million operating budget and recommending a 3% overall general salary increase as part of recurring budget proposals.

Billy Beatty, the district’s budget presenter, said staffing, salary and benefits account for the largest share of district spending and called position control a primary focus during budgeting. “Staffing, salary, and benefits for a district is 87% of the budget,” Beatty said, describing ongoing efforts to control personnel costs and to avoid over-hiring as enrollment growth slowed.

The presentation included these key points: - Compensation: Staff recommended a 3% overall general increase for employees in the recurring budget, with further equity adjustments considered for roles that fall below market. Beatty said the 3% figure is based on current law and that any additional state funds would be allocated in keeping with legislative requirements. - Health benefits: The district has been subsidizing plan costs and this fiscal year contributed $18,000,000 to support the health plan, Beatty said. Staff proposed a modest employee premium increase (an example cited: $10 per paycheck for employee-only coverage and up to $25 per paycheck for family coverage) paired with an employer-side increase to help fund premiums. - Student teachers: The district began paying student teachers; staff estimate the recurring cost will be about $750,000. Administrators said roughly one-third of student teachers historically convert to full-time hires in Humble ISD, and some others remain as substitutes until vacancies arise. - New and special-education staffing: Although total enrollment growth has slowed, the district will open Lake Houston Middle School and requires core positions there; special-education staffing increases were also proposed. - One-time initiatives and fund balance: Staff proposed using assigned fund balance for one-time needs (examples: fine-arts instrument replacements, campus furniture/remodeling, a police academy startup). Beatty projected an assigned fund balance of about $55,000,000 at fiscal year end and said staff could allocate roughly $4,800,000 for one-time initiatives while maintaining contingency reserves. - Open enrollment: The district reported mixed results from its open-enrollment program: officials had modeled up to 500 new students last year but enrolled about 100; staff said they are modeling up to 200 this year while also noting a trustee’s caution to be conservative in projections. - Revenue assumptions and taxes: Beatty reported an early certified estimate from the Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) indicating a taxable-value increase of about 3.15%; he warned that pending state property-tax legislation could change that figure. The preliminary budget is built on current law while the legislature completes action.

Trustees asked for additional detail and comparisons to peer districts ahead of the next workshop on May 20, when staff plan to return with more detailed compensation analyses, step-schedule impacts, and the child nutrition and debt-service budgets. Beatty said the district will not "budget on hope" and will adjust the plan if the legislature provides new funds. He also noted that any state-directed requirement to dedicate a portion of new funding to teacher salary increases would be honored.

The board did not vote on the budget at the May 6 workshop; the district tentatively scheduled a budget hearing and possible adoption for June 17 but may extend toward the June 30 statutory deadline if necessary.