LAMAR CISD presents balanced 2026–27 general fund, proposes teacher pay increases

The Lamar Consolidated Independent School District on May 19 presented a proposed balanced general fund budget for 2026–27 with combined local, state and federal revenues of approximately $572,200,000 and nearly identical projected expenses.

CFO Mr. Buchanan told trustees the district has revised its projected property‑value growth from 3% to 4.49% based on preliminary certified values and that the finance committee is recommending a compensation package that includes a 3% raise from midpoint and a $2,200 step increase for teacher salaries. "A beginning teacher will start at almost $69,000 for the '26–'27 school year," Buchanan said.

Board members asked detailed questions about fund balances and tax‑rate mechanics. Buchanan explained the district’s fund‑balance policy range of 12.5–25% and said the projected ending fund balance for the 2026–27 year would be about 18.6% under the proposal. He also explained the options for the maintenance & operations (M&O) and interest & sinking (I&S) tax rates: keeping the overall rate near 1.1351 or shifting one penny toward I&S to pay down debt sooner. "Every penny of tax we levy generates roughly $2.9 million in revenue for the district," Buchanan said, and moving a penny to I&S would change the average homeowner's annual payment by roughly $5.11 depending on the option.

Trustees did not take final action on the budgets at the May meeting; the administration said the board will hold a public hearing on June 9 and take action on budgets and the compensation plan at that meeting. Adoption of a final tax rate will follow certified values in July and an August board action.