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District warns state homestead exemption change could reduce bond capacity; HB2 seen as a funding gain
Summary
Royse City ISD trustees heard a legislative briefing: HB2 would raise the basic allotment and support teacher pay increases, while SB4's homestead exemption increase to $140,000 could cut the district's bonding capacity unless hold-harmless language is added.
District finance staff briefed trustees on pending state bills that could affect school funding and the district's ability to sell bonds.
Byron Bryant described HB2 as "a really good bill" that would increase the basic allotment from $61.60 to $65.55 and move special education funding to an intensity-based model, a change the district hopes will help provide teacher pay raises and offset inflation.
On SB4, Bryant said the bill would increase the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000 but currently does not include a hold-harmless for districts with recently authorized bonds, which "would greatly reduce our bonding capacity." He said the district is working with legislators and representatives (Katrina Pearson, Canyon Noble and Sen. Bob Hall) to seek solutions and monitor amendments. HB19 was also noted as a bill the district is watching closely with potentially harmful implications for current bond sales.
Trustees said they are engaged with legislative contacts and will notify the board and community if outreach is needed.
