Balancing the 2025-2026 District Budget FAQ

Georgetown ISD is projected to send a Recapture payment back to the State in the amount of $18,354,813 in 2025-2026.

Golden pennies provide tax revenue that is not subject to recapture by the State of Texas. Using golden pennies is an exercise of local control since voters must approve them. Georgetown ISD has 8 golden pennies - the maximum allowed - and uses all of them thanks to a VATRE passed by the community in 2012.

Our goal would be to turn over every other rock to be able to align our expenses with revenue before having to increase class sizes. No one in GISD will lose their jobs, but positions may be changed if we need to redesign services or reallocate staff as we make adjustments. 

We have made some gains in compensation in recent years and continue to look at how we can support additional compensation for the future. While future raises remain uncertain, Georgetown is committed to maintaining a supportive culture that focuses on relationships and prioritizes student learning. 

The higher our attendance rate is, the less we would have to send back to the state in the form of recapture. Ongoing efforts districtwide are helping to improve attendance rate. 

Like golden pennies, school districts can ask voters to approve up to 9 copper pennies. The difference is that copper pennies are subject to recapture. So while they can generate more revenue for a district, not all the money remains local. A VATRE or Voter-Approved Tax Ratification Election is something we could consider on the November ballot.

Bond funds may only be used for capital projects, technology, vehicles, etc. By law, they cannot be used for day-to-day operating costs like staff salaries, utility bills and fuel costs.  Those must be paid out of our maintenance and operations budget - known as M&O.

GISD uses a zero-based budget process. One of the things we are looking at is reducing both campus and department budgets. 

We are still awaiting guidance on this. 

85% of our current maintenance and operations budget funds salaries for teachers and staff. Any legislation approved for funding salaries in the future would likely be designated for certain purposes. We won't know until bills are passed what that could look like. 

It's the law. Public school funding in the state of Texas includes revenue from both local property taxes and state contributions. State funding is the legislatively mandated apportionment of funds that goes to each school district to provide a basic level of education. Any revenue over that amount must be returned to the state in the form of recapture. The deficit was created due to skyrocketing expenses (in part from inflation) and stagnant state funding. The basic allotment from the State has not increased in 6 years. 

Yes, though there are some limitations and some decisions may be governed by board policy. We are looking at creative sponsorships in the future to help fund certain programs or events. 

We hope to adopt the compensation plan in May or June, after the legislature has made a decision regarding funding for public education.

Details have not been shared, but we are assuming it would be awarded as an addition to a teacher's salary. 

Yes, as proposed, SB26 would provide larger incentives for teachers in rural districts where salary schedules are lower. You can view the Texas Minimum Salary Schedule on TEA's website at tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/salary-and-service-record/minimum-salary-schedules.  

Every year, we hope to get rates lowered and go out for bids to do so. Unfortunately, insurance rates are trending up in the past few years. Health insurance rates are completely out of our control. We will be communicating more information about future healthcare options and costs as this becomes finalized with our providers. 

Every position, including support positions, will be considered prior to having to make cuts that compromise classroom teacher positions.

Simply put, the cost of doing business continues to increase while funding for public education has remained flat. Our commitment to increase teacher/staff pay combined with rising costs has contributed to a recurring deficit. The cost of fuel, materials, and insurance premiums have also continued to rise over the past five years.  

The district could consider selling property, but property acquired is necessary for the future growth of the district. Additionally, the sale would only fix the deficit for the short term. Recurring expenses that outpace revenue are unsustainable.

No. We are working to adopt a budget for the 2025-2026 school year. 

In Texas, the "basic allotment" is the foundation of school funding, a per-student amount set by the legislature, currently at $6,160, which school districts use to fund basic educational needs. The basic allotment in Texas has not increased since 2019 while inflation has risen at a rate of approximately 23%. If the State increased the basic allotment at the rate of inflation, it would be approximately $7,500 per student and generate an additional $17 million.

Voters approve bonds that fund capital projects. It can't be taken away. It's also not subject to recapture, but it also cannot be used for maintenance and operations including salaries.

No, only school districts with high property values and local revenue exceeding the state mandated threshold are required to pay "recapture" (also known as "Robin Hood") funds back to the state.

Find out who your Texas represenatives are by visiting https://wrm.capitol.texas.gov/home and entering your city and county or zip code. There, you can find contact information to call or email their office.