Liberty Hill ISD superintendent outlines budget strain and seeks 7¢ tax increase to restore programs and staff

The interim Liberty Hill ISD superintendent presented the district’s financial picture and the rationale for a voter-approved tax ratification election on the November ballot.

The superintendent said the district is asking voters to raise the maintenance-and-operations tax rate from $0.67 to $0.74, an increase of 7¢, and added, “That additional 7¢ will generate roughly $10,700,000 for Liberty Hill ISD.” The district plans to allocate the funds to three priorities: student programs, safety and security, and staff compensation.

Officials told the EDC that the district cut about $8 million in the spring and carried a $2 million deficit this year, leaving roughly $10 million in reductions and pressures. “This last year we did have to cut in order to get to a balanced budget. We had a tax ratification election last November. It did not pass, so we did have to go through $8,000,000 in cuts last spring,” the superintendent said.

The presentation noted construction and enrollment impacts on capital and operating budgets. The superintendent said construction costs have risen sharply — "when we first started planning for an elementary… it was $32,000,000. It's $60 now," and projected high school No. 3 could approach $500 million under current inflation assumptions. The district is planning elementary 8, Lariat Trails, Saddleback (elementary 9), and design work for school No. 10.

On the operating side, the superintendent explained state funding mechanics under the district’s description of the “CUP model” and emphasized attendance-driven funding. He warned that without additional revenue the district could need another $3 million in cuts next spring.

The superintendent laid out how the roughly $10.7 million from the tax increase would be used: restoring programs cut the prior year, covering an estimated $1.3 million shortfall for safety and security measures (including maintaining a campus officer and monitoring systems), and making a one-time stipend plus a 1% raise for staff (with the potential for larger raises next year depending on enrollment and attendance).

The superintendent closed by urging community members to “get the facts” and vote; early voting locations and dates were listed in the presentation.

Next steps: the district will continue public outreach and the election proceeds through the usual voting schedule; no formal action by the EDC was required for the district’s presentation.