The Spring Independent School District Board of Trustees last night voted to adopt a $468.9 million 2024-2025 budget – with a provision to fully balance the district’s remaining deficit and provide staff raises if a Voter Approved Tax Rate Election (VATRE) is added to the ballot in November and approved by voters.

The overall operating budget includes approximately $345.5 million in general fund expenditures, $40.7 million in child nutrition expenditures, and $82.7 million in debt service expenditures. Despite strategic cost reductions for 2024-25 totaling $13.4 million, the budget would carry a deficit of $12 million if the VATRE does not go to voters or does not pass at the ballot.

In planning for the 2024-25 budget, the Spring ISD Finance Department worked in collaboration with campus leaders and a cross-functional district team to identify budget savings and areas for improved operational efficiency.

Underscoring the process was the fact that no additional funding was allocated by the state this year. During its last session, the Texas Legislature did not increase the basic allotment Texas schools receive per student. The current allotment is $6,160 per student, which has not been adjusted for inflation.

Under the proposed VATRE, all Spring ISD employees would receive a 2% pay increase. Equity adjustments are also built in throughout all pay groups to improve the district’s market position and recruitment efforts. The starting teacher pay would increase from $60,500 to $61,500 per year, and targeted adjustments would be made for teachers with 5-15 years of experience. 

Next steps in the VATRE process would be:

• Aug. 8: Adopt a tax rate moving forward with the VATRE
• Aug. 13: Board of Trustees vote on calling a VATRE election for Tuesday, Nov. 5
• Nov. 5: Election Day

“I am deeply grateful to our Board for all of their hard work and input in the process to formulate and approve next year’s budget,” Superintendent Dr. Lupita Hinojosa said. “This is difficult work under unprecedented circumstances surrounding the funding of public education. But together, we are working to ensure every dollar approved is working overtime to create equitable and excellent outcomes for every student in Spring ISD.”

The district’s total proposed tax rate for 2024 is $1.1592 per $100 valuation, up from the current rate of $1.1092. The rate is based on a combined $0.7192 Maintenance and Operations tax rate and $0.44 Interest and Sinking tax rate, used to pay the debt service requirements on outstanding bonds. The M&O tax rate exceeds the voter-approved tax rate, which would require a VATRE. State law requires school districts with a July 1 fiscal year to adopt a budget by June 30, although tax rates are not formally approved until later in the year.

For more information about the 2024-25 budget, please visit www.springisd.org/budgetreduction.