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Superintendent Snell briefs board on budget timeline, staffing absences and early legislative proposals
Summary
Snell told trustees the district has begun the 2025–26 budget process, is tracking elevated absences and unfilled substitute positions, and summarized early state budget proposals affecting education, teacher pay and vouchers.
Superintendent Snell updated the Liberty Hill ISD board Jan. 22 on the district’s budget calendar, current staffing absences and early proposals filed in the Texas Legislature that could affect the district’s finances.
Snell said the district has begun work on next year’s budget and reminded trustees that staff are exploring potential reductions for this year as well. He reported elevated illness across the district: about 100 substitute absences on an average week and 107 staff absences on the day of the meeting, with 31 substitute positions unfilled.
On student safety and testing matters, Snell noted district random drug-testing dates at Liberty Hill High School and Legacy Ranch High School and referred trustees to the packet for testing results and dates.
Snell also summarized bills filed in the Texas Legislature that day. He said the Senate budget filing proposed an overall increase in state funds (the presenter cited an increase of approximately $9.7 billion) and an additional $5.3 billion proposed for public education; details would be clarified as bills advance and language is drafted. Snell said proposals under discussion included a $4,000 raise for classroom teachers and a higher increase (the presenter described $10,000) for teachers in districts defined as rural under the proposal; an allocation of roughly $400 million per biennium for school safety; and an education savings account (voucher) allocation of about $1 billion (roughly $500 million annually). He also reported discussion of property-tax relief and a proposal from the lieutenant governor to increase the homestead exemption by $40,000.
Snell cautioned trustees these figures were preliminary and subject to change and noted that once the two chambers finalize budget outlines they will need to reconcile bills and joint committees will act. He said district leaders planned to travel to the Capitol to meet with lawmakers and will return with suggested legislative priorities for Liberty Hill.
No board action was required on the report; trustees received the update and asked staff to continue monitoring legislative developments and evaluate implications for district planning.
