Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Castleberry ISD board adopts 2026–27 baseline budget, keeps tax rate unchanged for homeowners
Summary
The Castleberry ISD board adopted a balanced baseline 2026–27 budget and did not propose a tax-rate increase; administrators said the plan maintains per‑student investment while preserving fund‑balance recovery and leaves options for limited salary adjustments later.
The Castleberry Independent School District Board of Education voted 4–0 to adopt a baseline 2026–27 budget that administration said includes no across‑the‑board salary increases and does not propose a higher tax rate for homeowners.
Administrators told trustees during the public hearing that the district’s local taxable value is projected near $1.3 billion with about 1% growth driven by multifamily, utilities and commercial property. “There’s no impact to the homeowner,” the budget presenter said, adding, “Your tax bill is flat.” The administration recommended adopting the balanced baseline budget as presented.
Why it matters: board members and staff framed the vote as a cautious approach that preserves financial stability while keeping the district’s per‑student investment consistent. The presenter reviewed fund‑balance history and projections, saying reserves dipped in prior years but are improving and the district expects to add roughly $3.3 million to its fund balance this year.
What the budget contains: the administration said the baseline assumes conservative enrollment (about 3,658 students), a targeted attendance rate and current assessed values; it presented a scenario analysis showing each 1% across‑the‑board salary increase would cost approximately $300,000 and estimated a 2% increase would cost about $600,000.
On principal and teacher compensation, a district administrator explained the principal strategic‑compensation plan — approved June 1 and supported by a TEA grant for planning and implementation work — includes a one‑year hold‑harmless provision so principals whose new pay band would fall below current pay can remain at their present level. “The strategic compensation for principals was board approved on June 1 as part of the 26–27 compensation plan,” the administrator said. She added the grant funds training and system redesign, not ongoing principal pay.
Board action: a board member moved to adopt the 2026–27 baseline budget as presented; another member seconded the motion and the board voted 4–0 to approve it. The meeting record does not list individual roll‑call votes by name in the transcript.
Next steps: staff said certified taxable values will be available in July and the board will present the tax rate for adoption in August. Administrators also said the board could revisit compensation or one‑time incentives if actual enrollment and revenues materially differ from the baseline assumptions.
Votes at a glance: the board adopted the baseline 2026–27 budget (motion passed 4–0) and approved Budget Amendment No. 5 for the month ending 06/15/2016 (motion passed 4–0).
