Edcouch-Elsa ISD reviews 2025–26 budget projections as HB2 alters teacher and special education funding

Edcouch-Elsa Independent School District trustees received a detailed briefing June 7 on how recent state school finance changes and local enrollment trends affect the district’s 2025–26 budget.

Sylvia Garza, a consultant engaged by the district to assist with budget preparation, told trustees that House Bill 2 — signed June 4, 2025 — includes multiple allotments and mandates that will affect district finances. Garza said the bill raises the basic allotment by $55 per student, establishes a $106-per-student basic-cost allotment, and creates a support-staff retention allotment of $45 per average daily attendance (ADA) for eligible non-teaching positions. Garza said HB2 also requires uniform pay increases for classroom teachers in districts with enrollment under 5,000: teachers with three to four years’ experience must be paid $4,000, and teachers with five or more years’ experience must be paid $8,000 (the bill provides no…