Bryan Independent School District has adopted a balanced budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, with a maintenance and operations budget of $186.5 million in revenue and expenditures. This move allows the district to avoid a deficit while maintaining an estimated ending fund balance of $43 million, which is roughly 2.7 months of operating expenses.

Key Budget Details

The budget assumes a 1.75% decline in property values and is based on an average daily attendance of 14,189 students. It also includes a portion of one-time revenue from the anticipated sale of district property. Payroll remains the district’s largest expense, accounting for more than 86% of the operating budget.

Trustee Julie Harlin-Wolf clarified that the board was seeking to adopt a zero-balance budget, meaning expenditures would not exceed revenue. The district approved a $2.2 million employee compensation package, which included a one-time $500 stipend for all full-time employees.

Board Reaction

Board members praised Chief Financial Officer Norma Friddle for developing a balanced budget but acknowledged the district continues to face long-term financial pressures. Trustee David Stasny noted that balancing the budget this year should not be viewed as a sign that additional revenue will not be needed in the future.

The district will maintain a proposed total tax rate of $0.9469 per $100 valuation, though the final rate will be adopted in August after the district receives updated figures from the state. There is still a possibility for Bryan ISD to place a voter-approval tax rate election on ballots this November.

Original reporting: Community Impact — Houston — read the source article.