June 18, 2025

College Station ISD Board Finalizes 2025-26 Budget with Deficit

News Summary

The College Station ISD Board of Trustees has approved a budget for the 2025-26 school year that presents a $2.1 million deficit despite increased state funding. CFO Heather Wilson emphasized the need for financial efficiencies, while state provisions from House Bill 2 aim to boost teacher salaries. Superintendent Tim Harkrider highlighted the importance of equitable raises for all staff. The board plans to review local property tax rates and a compensation plan to maintain fiscal stability. Important decisions ahead will shape the district’s financial future.

College Station – The College Station Independent School District (CSISD) Board of Trustees has finalized its budget for the 2025-26 school year, which reflects a $2.1 million deficit despite an increase in state funding. This decision was made during a board meeting held on Tuesday night, marking a significant effort by the district to manage financial challenges while also addressing personnel compensation.

The deficit budget has raised concerns among district officials, including Chief Financial Officer Heather Wilson, who emphasized the need for the district to find efficiencies to balance its budget in following years. The budget is being influenced by the provisions of House Bill 2, which ties new funding directly to classroom teachers and aims to provide resources for better compensation.

House Bill 2 brings a substantial $8.5 billion in new funding to public education, signifying the first increase in the basic allotment since 2019. Almost half of this funding is specifically aimed at providing pay raises for teachers with three or more years of experience. Under this framework, teachers in CSISD with three to four years of service are set to receive a $2,500 raise, while those with five or more years will see an increase of $5,000.

In response to the financial landscape and the challenges posed by the new funding structure, CSISD Superintendent Tim Harkrider emphasized the necessity for aggressive raises for all staff. He highlighted that approximately 60% of the district’s staff did not benefit from the teacher retention allotment included in the bill. As part of the newly approved compensation plan, all support employees—including librarians, custodians, bus drivers, nurses, and administrative staff—are set to receive raises, aiming to create a more equitable pay structure across the district.

The College Station ISD Board of Trustees will conduct a review of local property tax rates, with the adoption set for August 2025. This decision is crucial for future revenue generation and fiscal stability, as the district anticipates the impact of compensation changes on its financial health. The board has been tasked with formulating a pay scale that provides equitable raises for all staff, considering the need to attract and retain qualified personnel.

Trustee Darin Paine expressed his frustration over the state funding scenario for public education, though he acknowledged the district’s effective management and efforts to maximize available resources. The board’s discussions also touched on the support staff retention allotment established by House Bill 2, which provides an additional $45 per regular program allotment to assist in boosting salaries for non-teacher staff.

CFO Heather Wilson mentioned that implementing a 5% raise across all staff categories would necessitate around $7 million, highlighting the complexities involved in adjusting compensation accordingly. Superintendent Harkrider pointed out the importance of competitive compensation structures, especially in light of potential school voucher programs slated for implementation in the 2026-27 school year.

The board did not take action during the meeting but plans to review a final budget update ahead of a vote on the budget scheduled for June 17. The decisions made in the upcoming months will play a critical role in how College Station ISD manages its finances and compensation over the next school year.

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Author: STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER

The COLLEGE STATION STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECollegeStation.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in College Station, Brazos County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, Chilifest, and Aggie Muster. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Brazos Valley, plus leading businesses in education, biotechnology, and retail that power the local economy such as Texas A&M University, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and H-E-B. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.

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