CISD Looks to Balance 2025–2026 Budget And Lower Tax Rate

The Carroll ISD Board of Trustees received a public hearing to discuss the 2025-2026 proposed budget at the June Regular Board meeting from Deputy Superintendent of Business and Finance, Chase Park. The proposed 2025–2026 budget reflects the District’s commitment to making necessary cuts, the Board’s ongoing commitment to lowering the tax rate year after year, and a collaborative effort to continue looking for creative solutions to overcome sustained state funding challenges.

The balanced budget presented by Mr. Park assumes an additional $3.5-4 million in revenue thanks to what Board President Cam Bryan referred to as a “school funding measure” in his June President’s Report. The proposal will give voters an opportunity to ratify the District’s tax structure in November. Most importantly, the Board is committed to not raising the total tax rate, continuing the trend of lowering the rate from the ‘24-’25 fiscal year.

Tax Rate Explanation

In his presentation, Mr. Park explained how a proposed tax rate exchange would give voters the opportunity to adopt three additional pennies on the District’s Maintenance & Operations (M&O) tax rate, which funds everyday operations like teacher salaries, classroom instruction, and utilities. Simultaneously, the plan calls for a reduction in the Interest & Sinking (I&S) tax rate, which is used to pay off voter-approved debt (which we announced recently has been reduced by $45 million in just three years). CISD can generate an estimated $3.5-4 million annually in additional local revenue - without increasing the total tax rate, which would remain at or below the current rate of $0.961700 - AND the extra revenue generated will not be subject to recapture.

“We believe that giving our community the opportunity to vote on a school funding measure that will not raise the tax rate while providing much needed additional revenue is the most direct, transparent, and fair solution to protect the high standards of education expected in this District,” said President Bryan.

What Would The School Funding Measure Mean For CISD?

This additional funding would be used to offset a previously-projected deficit of $5 million, preserving student programs and providing raises for teachers and staff, helping CISD stay competitive with neighboring districts.

This long-term planning measure is the result of last fall’s Budget Reduction Advisory Committee (BRAC), and the five-year plan they developed in response to the ongoing lack of funding from the State. As part of this plan, the Tiger Team subcommittee initiated a recommendation to ask the community to approve the proposed tax rate exchange after the state legislature’s failure to pass meaningful school finance reform during the 89th Legislative Session. While districts across Texas called for a $1,000 increase to the basic allotment to keep pace with record inflation and six years of stagnant funding, lawmakers approved just a $55 increase.

Despite these challenges, the proposed 2025–2026 CISD budget reflects a balanced plan thanks to zero-based budgeting, right-sizing, and ongoing efficiency efforts, which have collectively saved the District millions. It also includes a net gain of approximately $1.1 million for CISD from recent legislation.

More details about the proposed budget and the possibility of a school funding vote will be shared with the community in the coming months.