Spring ISD previews 2025–26 budget; cautions over HB2 changes, flags $17.8 million baseline deficit

Spring Independent School District officials on April 15 presented a preliminary 2025–26 budget that assumes modest property-value growth but still leaves the district with a multi‑million dollar structural shortfall if state legislative language changes and one‑time revenues prove temporary.

The presentation, led by district finance and staffing staff, laid out revenue estimates, staffing-driven payroll growth and contingent scenarios tied to House Bill 2 (HB2), which at the time of the meeting was scheduled for committee hearings the next day. “I would say it’s pretty much definitely going to change,” said Miss Westbrooks, summarizing ongoing revisions to HB2 and warning trustees to be cautious about committing to raises before revenue is finalized.

Why it matters: Spring ISD faces recurring payroll pressures—driven by enrollment growth, special education staffing and state compensation requirements—while some potential revenue increases identified in HB2 would be offset by statutory spending mandates. Administrators said most additional state funds described in the committee substitute would flow out the door as required compensation increases, leaving limited net revenue to address the district’s structural deficit.

What the district presented - Preliminary enrollment and revenue assumptions: The district’s demographers project enrollment of about 34,160 for 2025–26 (a 1.1% increase on the snapshot date), and staff used a working estimate of a 5% rise in certified property values to model tax revenue. Those assumptions produced a preliminary revenue estimate under current law of about $323.3 million. - Payroll and baseline pressures: Using current staffing guidelines, estimated payroll was roughly $281.1 million—about $4 million higher than 2024–25—because of additional teacher FTEs at elementary campuses, higher special education staffing and expanded ESL allocations. Non‑payroll costs were estimated at about $43.8 million. - One‑time vs. recurring items: The presentation highlighted a proposed “disaster pennies” one‑time tax revenue estimate (conservatively modeled at $15 million rather than $20 million because of a proposed…