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Lubbock ISD adopts 2026–27 budget with $22.5M deficit and approves $4.2M compensation plan
Summary
The Lubbock ISD board adopted a 2026–27 fiscal budget projecting a roughly $22.5 million deficit driven by payroll, benefits and tax compression; trustees also approved a compensation package totaling about $4.2 million and hired a director of instructional technology.
The Lubbock ISD Board of Trustees on Monday adopted the district’s 2026–27 fiscal year budget, approved a staff compensation plan and confirmed hiring for a newly created instructional‑technology director position.
The budget adopted by trustees projects a $22.5 million deficit for the 2026–27 school year. Dr. Wilkins, who presented the financial packet, told the board the shortfall stems from several factors: a roughly $22.8 million net increase in expenditures driven primarily by payroll increases, a roughly $4 million projected increase in health‑plan costs, and an estimated $15 million loss in property‑tax collections due to homestead exemptions and tax compression. Dr. Wilkins said the district will draw on bond and fund balances where allowable and plans to adopt a final tax rate after certified values are released in August.
On personnel, the board approved a 2026–27 compensation plan developed with TASB guidance and presented by Crystal Floyd. The plan raises the teacher starting salary to $51,500 (about a $1,150 increase), includes targeted adjustments for mid‑career teachers, a 2% increase for most administrative/operations staff, a 3% increase for instructional‑support staff (including educational aides), and other strategic placements to address pay compression. Floyd estimated the pay increases would cost roughly $4.2 million district‑wide; trustees approved the plan with a motion that included a contingency option for a one‑time lump‑sum payment should additional revenue materialize.
Personnel action: Following a closed session, the board voted to hire Carrie Fulgum as Director of Instructional Technology. The motion to hire carried 7–0 and Fulgum thanked trustees and introduced family members in the audience.
Board voting: Multiple business motions in the meeting recorded show unanimous approval where tallies were announced as "7–0." A handful of contract items included recusal(s); for example, one vendor vote recorded Trustee Zigno’s recusal.
Why it matters: Trustees said the deficit budget is partly structural and partly cyclical: decreased taxable values and rising personnel and health‑care costs have left the district with fewer reserves and recurring pressures. Several trustees framed the compensation plan as necessary to retain teachers and staff amid statewide funding challenges.
What’s next: The tax rate will be finalized in August when the district receives certified tax rolls; the budget is based on estimated values. District leaders said they will continue work on rightsizing and leveraging bond balances and will press state legislators about funding inequities.
Votes at a glance (select items recorded in the meeting): - Hire Carrie Fulgum as Director of Instructional Technology — motion carried 7–0 (SEG 518–526). - Approve financial reports for May and June 2026 — motion carried 7–0 (SEG 1030–1036). - Approve dual‑credit partnership with South Plains College — motion carried 7–0 (SEG 1073–1080). - Approve 2026–27 employee compensation plan (with contingency lump‑sum option) — motion carried 7–0 (SEG 1571–1586). - Adopt 2026–27 fiscal year budget — motion carried 7–0 (SEG 2151–2160).
Officials and sources: Dr. Wilkins (finance presentation), Crystal Floyd (compensation), Dr. Rolo (superintendent comments) and trustees who discussed long‑term budget constraints and legislative priorities.
