Bryan ISD board adopts 2026–27 budget, flags reliance on one-time property sale

The Bryan Independent School District board adopted the district's budgets for the 2026'27 fiscal year on a voice vote after a public hearing and staff presentation.

Chief Financial Officer Norma Fiddle told trustees the proposal covers the general fund, debt service and child nutrition fund. Key assumptions include budgeting average daily attendance at 14,189 students, an estimated 1.7'1.75% decline in property values (driven largely by commercial and mineral valuations), and an M maintenance-and-operations tax rate assumed to remain at its current level pending TEA compression calculations. "The purpose of tonight's public hearing is to review the proposed 26'7 budget and our proposed tax rate," Fiddle said. She noted the tax-rate figures are estimates and that final adoption of the total tax rate will occur in August after TEA provides final data.

The proposed budget includes one-time local revenue from an anticipated sale of district property, which Fiddle said helps produce a balanced, zero-based budget. Payroll is the largest expense category, accounting for more than 86% of the budget, and the administration cautioned that projected year-end figures are estimates and not audited until year-end close.

Trustees commended staff for detailed work but repeatedly warned the board that the current balanced budget depends on the one-time property-sale revenue. One trustee said the sale is "putting a finger in the dike" and cautioned the board not to treat this year's balance as evidence of long-term stability. Board members asked staff to continue identifying efficiencies and said they may need to consider additional revenue options if structural gaps persist.

The board approved a year-end budget amendment for the general fund and school nutrition fund as presented earlier in the meeting and then moved to adopt the 2026'7 budgets as recommended with a formal motion and voice vote.

The administration also presented the child nutrition fund, noting Bryan ISD participates in the Community Eligibility Provision, which allows all students to receive breakfast and lunch at no cost; staff warned that participation levels affect federal reimbursements and program revenue.

Next steps: the district will update tax-rate notices if TEA's final compression rate changes and will publish the taxpayer impact statement after certified property values are received from the appraisal district in late July.