Spring ISD presents conservative 2026–27 budget and recommends a five‑penny voter approval election; administration proposes salary freeze

Interim Chief Financial Officer Roa Johnson presented the administration’s recommended 2026–27 budget scenario on June 2, saying the district projects a June 30, 2026 fund balance of about $72 million and a projected June 30, 2027 fund balance of roughly $45.6 million under conservative assumptions.

"The estimated fund balance as of June 30th, 2026 is now projected at 72 million," Johnson told trustees as she walked through the third budget review. She said that loss of one‑time 'disaster pennies' and projected self‑funded insurance claims materially reduced available recurring revenue.

To address recurring shortfalls, administration recommended the board consider asking voters in November 2026 to approve five additional maintenance & operations pennies that the district estimates could generate approximately $20 million. Johnson emphasized the proposed budget scenario includes that revenue only as a planning assumption: "This budget includes projected revenues from a successful [voter approval election] in the November 2026 election. As these revenues are not guaranteed, it is recommended that any enhancements beyond the conservative proposed budget, including salary increases and other ongoing expenditures, be revisited after the election results are known."

The administration described specific reduction strategies to balance recurring costs, including campus‑level reductions tied to enrollment, a 10% reduction in non‑payroll departmental expenditures, absorption of positions through attrition or restructuring, elimination of some software programs, energy‑conservation steps, reduced mail routes and office printer elimination, and possible reductions to certain transportation services. The packet also lists $1.5 million in savings identified by budget committees and a $99,999 allocation for a roughly $100,000 marketing program aimed at re‑engaging families and boosting enrollment.

Trustees asked technical questions about how additional local tax pennies affect state funding formulas. Johnson explained that local M&O increases feed into the state calculation and that the district’s scenario assumes added local revenue will go to the general fund; she said the interaction with weighted average daily attendance and tiered funding for special programs will influence net effects.

Administration also recommended a temporary salary freeze until the board has final revenue certainties. "Administration recommends a salary freeze which may be revisited once offsetting revenue is confirmed," Johnson said, noting that any recurring enhancements should not be committed before revenues are secured.

Johnson closed by reviewing procedural next steps and legal posting deadlines for budget adoption: information must be posted for the June 23 adoption and the district planned to post materials on June 10 to meet Houston Chronicle timing; the tax rate itself must be adopted after certified property values are received in August 2026.

What’s next: The board will continue deeper budget deliberations in coming meetings. Any items the board decides to adopt formally — including potential use of voter‑approved pennies — will return with required public notices and formal agenda approval steps.