Pearland - Friendswood - Manvel Edition | May 2026

BY CATHERINE WHITE

Friendswood ISD projects nearly $3.3M surplus for FY 202627

Cost to the taxpayers

After three of four propositions in FISD’s $81.5 million bond passed on May 2, the new tax rate remains unconrmed. If all had passed, the rate would be $1.0649 per $100 valuation of a home. A $500,000 home would have an annual bill of $125.64.

Friendswood ISD is projecting a surplus of nearly $3.3 million for its scal year 2026-27 budget, following a budget update reviewed by the board of trustees at its March 23 workshop. Compared to FY 2025-26, budget projections show revenues increasing by more than $3.3 million, or around 5%, and expenditures increasing by nearly $19,000, or 0.03%, district documents note. The district’s expenditures include salaries as well as day-to-day operational costs such as supplies and utilities, with salaries projected to make up nearly 83% of total spending, according to district documents. Tax collections represent the largest source of revenue at approximately 48% of total revenue and consist primarily of local property taxes, according to district documents. The district’s total revenue also includes other local revenues, state and federal funding, and Teacher Retirement System, or TRS, on-behalf payments, which are contributions made by the state on behalf of district employees, according to district documents. If the district operates at 98% spending, the projected surplus will rise to over $4 million which is an increase from a $1.3 million surplus in FY 2025-26, according to district documents. The district has remained at a 98% spending level throughout FY 2025-26, district ocials said.

FISD’s FY 202627 budget projections (98% spending) Federal revenues $147K

Maintenance and operations tax rate

Interest and sinking tax rate

Friendswood ISD’s tax rates

$1.2594

$1.50

Operating budget $11.31M

$1.06

$0 $0.50 $1.00

Local revenues $2.87M

Teacher Retirement System on-behalf $3.02M

SOURCE: FRIENDSWOOD ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

*2026 IS NOT CONFIRMED

The impact

State funding $30.63M

Salaries $55.24M

While salary expenditures for FY 2026-27 are not expected to increase or decrease from the previous year, the board approved a one-time retention stipend at its April 13 meeting for eligible non-teaching professional positions totaling $156,000 for the 2026-27 school year. The stipend will be issued Aug. 20 to eligible employees who worked in these roles during the 2025-26 school year and who will be signed on for the upcoming year, according to district documents.

Tax collections $34.12M

Revenue $70.79M

Expenditures $66.55

SOURCE: FRIENDSWOOD ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

PEARLAND FRIENDSWOOD MANVEL EDITION