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Godley ISD outlines proposed $43.3 million 2026–27 budget, weighs leaving special‑education co‑op
Summary
District staff presented a proposed 2026–27 budget that projects roughly $43.29 million in revenue and a payroll of about $33.7 million; trustees discussed rising cooperative special‑education costs (JCSSA ~ $3M), potential separation in 2027–28, taxable‑value shifts, and next steps for adoption.
Godley Independent School District staff presented the proposed 2026–27 budget during a June 8 workshop, outlining enrollment and attendance trends, revenue and expenditure projections, and options to address rising special‑education costs.
Spencer, the district finance presenter, said enrollment for the current year is "right at 3,300" with a conservative projection of rising by about 150 to 3,450 next year. Attendance improved to over 95% in 2025–26, which Spencer cited as a positive trend affecting state funding calculations.
On revenue and expenditures, the presentation set total projected revenue at $43,294,329 and payroll at about $33.7 million. Spencer described the proposed budget as initially balanced, with an anticipated $500,000–$600,000 surplus to add to fund balance and a projected $143,000 of general‑fund use of fund balance under current assumptions.
Special‑education cooperative (JCSSA) costs were a central topic. Spencer said Godley ISD currently pays just over $3 million to JCSSA (about $3.6M all‑in when federal funds are included) and that the cooperative payment has risen roughly $250,000–$400,000 each year. The board discussed a possible separation from JCSSA for the 2027–28 school year; Spencer said a decision and notice to the co‑op would be required by Sept. 1, 2026, if the district intends to recapture special‑education services for 2027–28. He cautioned that separation would require staffing, space and program planning.
Spencer reviewed certified taxable values and said the district’s certified values were previously reported at about $1.973 billion and later reflected as roughly $1.922 billion — a decrease he described as a loss around $50 million in local taxable value, with the state adjusting funding in its statutory formula.
Other items covered included: - Vouchers/ESAs (starting in 2026–27) and the lack of a hold‑harmless provision when students leave for vouchers; the district will track voucher application numbers. - Child nutrition: staff reported $634,000 in projected food‑cost supplies and plans to increase outreach to encourage families to complete free/reduced lunch applications to secure federal funds. - Facilities: portables estimated at roughly $150,000 each (purchase/lease options discussed) and potential redistricting or portable use if enrollment growth continues.
Spencer said the next steps include a budget and tax‑rate hearing scheduled for June 17 and that formal adoption of the 2026–27 budget will follow the required notices and hearings; tax‑rate setting will occur later in August or September after certified values and state calculations are finalized.
Trustees asked questions about the assumptions for special‑education counts (October snapshot), the composition of the taxable‑value changes, staffing additions (FTEs) included in payroll projections, and child‑nutrition outreach plans.
