Laredo ISD reviews 2025–26 budget scenarios as state funding, staffing and pay remain unresolved

Laredo ISD trustees and staff on April 23 held a budget workshop to review state legislative developments, district revenue scenarios for the 2025–26 school year and staffing changes the district has already made while planning possible pay increases for employees.

The discussion centered on two developments that will determine how aggressive the district can be on raises: whether the Texas Legislature reconciles House and Senate funding proposals and how much of the district’s own tax capacity the board chooses to use. The board heard models showing a baseline deficit in the general fund and a possible improvement if the House funding plan is enacted.

Why it matters: the presentation combined a legislative update with district modeling to show how uncertain state aid, local tax options and internal staffing changes affect whether the district can raise starting pay for hourly positions (currently discussed at roughly $9 per hour for some roles), expand raises across classifications, or keep the budget balanced.

Miss Ayala, representing Laredo ISD finance staff, led the board through a side-by-side summary of House and Senate proposals for the Foundation School Program and other education appropriations. The house proposals would increase state funding more than the senate’s current draft, with the presentation citing house figures that include large increases for tax compression and program allotments. The presentation to trustees included itemized proposed state amounts referenced in the session, including: $3,000,000,000 cited for tax compression, $800,000,000 for a “golden penny” allocation, and additional sums for average daily attendance and program allotments discussed in both chambers. House proposals mentioned in the workshop included dedicated funding for college and career…