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Weslaco ISD trustees get first look at 2025–26 budget outlook amid legislative uncertainty
Summary
District finance staff told trustees the 2025–26 budget will be shaped by pending state bills and the end of temporary federal funds, with roughly $210 million in projected spending and about three‑quarters of that covering employee costs. Administrators outlined enrollment, ADA and a multi‑workshop timeline leading to a June budget adoption.
WESLACO ISD board president Isidore Nieto opened a budget workshop where finance staff summarized the district’s planning assumptions for the 2025–26 fiscal year. Carlo Robledo said the district’s total budget is approximately $210,000,000 and that about $157,400,000 — roughly 75% — goes to pay employees. “So 0.75 out of every dollar goes to pay for staff,” Robledo said, noting locally funded stipends and continuing bond projects that affect per‑pupil spending.
Robledo told trustees the budget’s final shape depends on pending state legislation, including House Bill 2 and Senate Bill 2, and on the expiration of temporary federal ESSER funds. He emphasized the district’s reliance on average daily attendance (ADA) for state revenue and gave a conservative enrollment projection of 16,197 students and an ADA planning figure near 14,600–14,700. The administration scheduled follow‑up workshops (May 19 and June) with an intended budget adoption by June 30 and a separate tax‑rate discussion in August.
Why it matters: Trustees must set the district’s adopted budget and tax‑rate schedule while the Legislature is still finalizing education funding rules; temporary federal money that boosted per‑pupil totals in recent years will not recur, Robledo said. The workshop included trustee questions on how ADA overages will be allocated for recurring pay increases or one‑time stipends and how projected insurance premium increases factor into next year’s personnel costs.
Next steps: The administration will return with updated estimates as legislation becomes law and at least two more public workshops before the June adoption deadline.
