Pearland ISD is facing a $3.2 million shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins on July 1. The district’s trustees have approved nearly $235 million in expenses and around $231 million in revenue for FY 2026-27, according to budget documents.
Budget Breakdown
Payroll costs account for 83% of the district’s budget, PISD Superintendent Larry Berger said at the meeting. Since the May 12 budget workshop, expenditures have increased by nearly $5.8 million, including a $3.8 million increase in payroll, $1.5 million in contracted services, and $320,000 in supplies and materials.
The district appeared to be in a surplus during the previous workshop in part due to $2.5 million for the teacher incentive allotment, or TIA. However, additional compensation adjustments approved at the May 12 meeting, along with increased inflation and contingency costs, had not yet been reflected into earlier projections.
Tax Rate and Enrollment
The district is also projecting a tax rate of $1.135 for FY 2026-27, which combines $0.7869 for maintenance and operations and $0.3481 for interest and sinking. Based on that rate, a homeowner with a median homestead taxable value of $232,260 would have an estimated annual property tax bill of about $2,636.15.
The district’s long-range forecast shows continued enrollment decline, with projections showing an $11 million drop in state funding by 2030, trustee Sean Murphy said at the meeting. The decline reflects a broader regional trend, with several Greater Houston-area districts also declining in enrollment.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Houston — read the source article.
