Education
BY VALERIA ESCOBAR
LCISD reconsiders $41M fine arts facility At the June 17 board meeting, Lamar CISD officials recommended reconsidering the $41 million fine arts facility upgrade due to cost. Instead, the district may redirect funds to delayed safety repairs at Guy K. Traylor Stadium—improvements voters rejected in the November 2023 bond. The gist Proposition D now includes $26.7 million in stadium repairs, including bleacher replacement, bathroom disability compli- ance and a new scoreboard. Moving forward A three-week community survey started the week of June 30. The board will review results at the Aug. 12 meeting and may call a bond election for November.
Lamar CISD staff raises for the 2025-26 school year Additionally, teachers and instructional staff will receive a 3% midpoint raise funded by the district.
Raise amount
Funding source
LCISD House Bill 2
$1,600 $1,000 $2,500 $5,000
Starting salary Teachers with 0-2 years of experience Teachers with 3-5 years of experience Teachers with 5+ years of experience Paraprofessionals, custodians, food service workers and bus drivers Counselors, nurses and librarians
HB 2 HB 2 HB 2 HB 2
$825 $500
SOURCE: LAMAR CISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
LCISD approves raises with over $500K surplus Despite warnings of a shortfall, Lamar CISD will begin the 2025-26 fiscal year with a projected $545,000 surplus after lawmakers approved House Bill 2, which allocates $8.9 billion to public schools between 2025-27.
What’s changing Salaries remain LCISD’s largest expense, accounting for about 85% of total spending. The budget reflects state-mandated raises for experienced teachers under HB 2. Trustees also approved tiered raises from the bill’s staff reten- tion funds for other employees. Next steps The board will adopt its 2025-26 tax rate in July after receiving certified property values from the Fort Bend Central Appraisal District.
KISD OKs raises despite projected $26.1M shortfall Despite state funding boosts, Katy ISD still projects a $26.1 million shortfall for 2025-26.
Katy ISD staff raises for the 2025-26 school year
Raise amount Funding source
Starting salary
$2,050
KISD
for staff raises, however, the district will cover increases to starting salaries, a 3% raise across all pay grades and a $5 per day pay boost for substi- tute teachers. Moving forward Final budget approval is expected by August, however Superintendent Ken Gregorski said adjustments could be made at a later date.
Teachers with 0-2 years of experience $2,500 Teachers with 3-5 years of experience $2,500 Teachers with 5+ years of experience $5,000 Administrative staff 3% raise
KISD
However, Chief Financial Officer Chris Smith said the actual gap may shrink—or turn into a sur- plus—due to underspending and property value audit recoveries. What’s changing Under House Bill 2, KISD received $28.9 million
House Bill 2
HB 2
KISD
Non-teacher instructional staff
3% raise
HB 2 and KISD
SOURCE: KATY ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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