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Galena Park ISD projects roughly $9.9 million shortfall; trustees review 2% pay model and special‑education funding transition
Summary
District staff told trustees the district faces just over a $9.9 million budget deficit and identified more than $9 million in unfunded or underfunded state mandates; trustees reviewed a modeled 2% general pay increase (estimated cost $4.7 million) while staff said TEA’s special‑education funding changes will be treated as a transition year for 2026–27.
District staff presented an update at the Galena Park ISD Board of Trustees meeting on May 4, 2026, saying the district is carrying just over a $9.9 million budget deficit and that state unfunded or underfunded mandates total more than $9 million annually.
The presentation, given during a budget workshop follow‑up, explained the district updates staff turnover through PEIMS and adjusts revenue estimates following the Harris County Appraisal District certified estimated property values. The district updated its certified values to about $11.2 billion from a placeholder of $11.6 billion, a change that shifted local and state revenue projections and accounted for part of the difference from the prior workshop.
The presenter said the board should build the 2026–27 budget on current law. To illustrate options, staff modeled a 2% general pay increase: under that scenario the district’s beginning teacher pay would rise to $68,250 from $66,575, and the plan would cost about $4.7 million. The presenter said the minimum increase for teachers would be at least $1,450 and that a 2% general increase would apply to other staff.
On special education funding, staff reported they participated in a TEA webinar and described 2026–27 as a transition year. Under that timeline the district will continue to report funding under current rules while also submitting data under TEA’s new eight‑tier intensity categories. TEA staff told districts they will report both sets of figures every six weeks and promised no decrease in funding during the transition year; any settlement or net change would be determined in the September 2027 "settle up" process, staff said.
Trustees also asked about health insurance costs. The presenter said TRS ActiveCare regional averages were about 12%, but when applied to the district’s plans the impact was closer to about 20%. Staff said they would circulate the district’s plan‑specific premium changes to trustees once available.
The district reiterated next budget steps: staff will return to the board with a compensation recommendation next month, continue work in June and August, aim for an anticipated budget adoption on Aug. 25, 2026, and plan for a tax‑rate adoption on Oct. 5, 2026.
The meeting record shows staff provided the baseline numbers and modeling; trustee discussion at this meeting did not change the modeling assumptions and no final compensation decisions were adopted at the May 4 session.
