Del Valle ISD trustees adopt $140.67 million budget, lower tax rate; vote 8-0

Del Valle ISD trustees on Wednesday evening adopted the district—s fiscal 2025-26 budgets and approved a reduced overall tax rate, voting 8-0 to adopt the package.

The budgets the board approved include a proposed general operating budget, a child nutrition budget and a debt service budget. Dina Edgar, who presented the proposals to the board, said the proposed general fund budget is $140,600,000 and that the board was asked to adopt the budgets as presented with a motion that referenced a budget total of $140,674,461. Edgar told the board the proposed budgets were built on conservative assumptions, including a projected student membership of 11,931 and a 1.79% average daily attendance increase.

The nut graf: The adopted budgets are intended to balance the district—s finances after a multi-million-dollar shortfall and to preserve classroom spending while recognizing limits in state funding and new legislative changes. Trustees and staff said the package reduces a previously projected deficit and maintains classroom-focused spending while also setting compensation steps tied to House Bill 2 allocations.

Edgar summarized major elements driving the 2025-26 plan: preliminary certified property values were reported as growing by about $17.5 billion (roughly a 12% increase over the prior year), though the district—s state funding is capped at 2.5% growth under funding formulas. The presentation estimated a total tax rate of $0.9489 per $100 of assessed value (61.89 cents for maintenance and operations and 33 cents for debt service), a nearly 5-cent decrease from the prior year. Edgar said the district will present official tax rates after the central appraisal district—s certified values in July and hold a public hearing on rates in September.

On compensation, Edgar said the district—s proposal incorporates elements of House Bill 2: a $5,000 retention allotment for classroom teachers with five or more years of experience, $2,500 for teachers with three to four years, and $45 per average daily attendance to address compensation for other staff not eligible for the retention allotment. The district is proposing a $1,500 retention allocation for teachers with zero to two years of experience and for nurses and librarians, an increase to the starting teacher scale by $400 to a $60,000 starting point, and a 1.5% increase for other staff. Edgar also identified a $4.4 million compensation package and $1 million in new positions to address growth, including 12 teaching positions, an academic dean at Ojeda, an assistant principal at the Opportunity Center and a principal for a second high school beginning in January 2026.

Edgar said payroll represents about 89% of overall expenditures and that approximately 75% of the general fund budget is spent on classroom instruction and instructional support. She listed a recommended child nutrition operating budget of $9,500,000 and a debt service budget of $64,400,000 to cover bond payments in December and June. Edgar also noted a planned Chapter 313 agreement payment with Tesla budgeted at $9,000,000 and forecasted increases of 8.7% for health care premiums and 12.3% for property casualty insurance.

Public comment and board discussion addressed pay equity and hourly wages. Kristela Rocha, who identified herself as a teacher, spoke during public comments about pay raises and equity, saying, "House Bill 2 was not equitable" and urging the board to consider pay for employees outside the classroom who support teachers. Vice President Lodesmab Woody said she appreciated staff work but also voiced disappointment that the district did not adopt a higher living wage this year, saying, "I am disappointed that we didn't offer a living wage this year or even attempt to bring that conversation." Trustees and staff said they plan continued discussions about compensation next year.

Before the vote, the board heard that contracts exceeding $50,000 would be approved separately at a later date. Board Secretary Elvie Guarion moved to approve the budget as presented; Trustee Wright Haywood seconded the motion. The board recorded an 8-0 vote in favor and the motion carried.

Board members and the superintendent praised the business office and trustees for working through several workshops this spring to eliminate a roughly $13 million deficit and reach a balanced budget. Trustees emphasized that additional difficult decisions may be required next year to sustain competitive compensation.

Next steps listed by staff include receiving certified property values in July, preparing official tax rates in August, and holding a public hearing on the tax rate for possible adoption in September. Contracts above $50,000 identified in the budget will return to the board for separate approval.