West Oso ISD board hears legislative update; district staff recommend delaying pay proposals until state funding is finalized

Superintendent Ms. Moore and district staff presented the West Oso Independent School District’s proposed 2025–26 budget priorities and a legislative update at a board workshop, and recommended postponing formal salary proposals until the state’s final appropriations are known.

The discussion focused on competing legislative proposals — including changes to the basic allotment, a proposed teacher-incentive allotment, and increased school-safety funding — and on how several possible outcomes would translate to the district’s bottom line. Ms. Moore told the board that the district plans to "take the safe side and not propose the salary" in the initial budget until the Legislature’s actions and any state funding arrive.

Why the board mattered: West Oso faces declining enrollment and constrained local revenue, and a portion of any additional state funding would be legally earmarked for teacher pay under the bills discussed. District staff said waiting for the Legislature’s action would allow the board to adopt a budget in August and make any subsequent salary changes via a budget amendment if extra state money arrives later.

Key points from the presentation

- Timing and uncertainty: Staff noted the Legislature’s schedule — committee and floor actions in the spring with governors’ decisions in June — and warned special sessions or changes could delay final funding. Ms. Moore said June is the expected time when funding results should be known, and that the governor has until June 22 to sign measures that reach his desk.

- Revenue scenario…