Understanding School Finance
Step 1
Develop a deeper understanding of how school districts are funded in Texas
Step 2
Gather information about LISD’s current budget outlook
Step 3
Learn of decisions coming before the community in upcoming elections
Recent News
Video Series
Finance 101
On the Finance 101 page, community members can learn the basics of school finance in Texas. Included is an overview of how districts are funded and where the money goes; definitions of key concepts and common acronyms; and frequently asked questions.
Budget Deficit
In Leander ISD, initial budget projections showed a budget deficit of about $35 million and a deficit that increases by more than $10 million annually in the following years. On the Budget Deficit page, community members can learn how the district is planning to look for ways to both decrease expenditures while also increasing revenues.
Upcoming Elections
The Elections page details a number of elections over the coming months related to the school district’s finances.
Timeline
- Nov. 18, 2021: Received Projected 2022–23 Student Enrollment from Demographer
- Dec. 16, 2021: Proposed 2022–23 Budget Assumptions and Parameter
- Jan. 13, 2022: Adopted 2022–23 Budget Assumptions and Parameter; Presented Review of Texas School Finance
- March 24, 2022: Amended Budget Assumption
- Increase of revenues by seeking November 2022 VATRE
- May 5, 2022: Amended Budget Assumptions
- Further increase of revenues with a 9-cent VATRE to cover a 4% pay increase for all employees with an additional 1% pay increase for teachers, nurses and counselors
- Move projects under Major Maintenance to be funded with 2017 Bond savings
- May 7, 2022: Texas Constitutional Amendment Election Propositions related to Homestead Exemption passed, increasing the exemption from $25,000 to $40,000 and expanding tax relief to the elderly and disabled, too.
- May 19, 2022: Adopted Compensation Plan
- Includes a 5% pay increase for teachers, nurses and counselors and a 4% pay increase for all other employees (percentage increases applied to the midpoint of a scale)
- Includes a $15 minimum wage for hourly employees
- June 23, 2022: Adopted 2022–23 Budget
- Revenues in budget are based on a 9-cent VATRE
- $3.5 million in budget cuts, avoiding instructional cuts
- Budget contains a deficit, but meets the Board-set 4% parameter
- No allocation of funds for Major Maintenance (to be funded by 2017 Bond savings)
- July/August 2022: Certification of property values and tax rate from TEA
- Aug. 22, 2022: Adopt the 2022 Tax Rate
- Board determines tax rate for both M&O and I&S by this date
- Adopting an M&O rate above the calculated state allowable rate – even if the total tax rate is lower – triggers a VATRE in November 2022 for voters to approve the Board-adopted rate
- Nov. 8, 2022: Elections
- Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE)
- Attendance Credit Election (ACE)
- Trustee Election
Resources
- Have a question? Submit your question through Let’s Talk or by texting 512-399-0068.
- Remind: To receive Smart Money information – including weekly facts and “Did You Knows” – and be the first to know of key updates, text @LISDmoney to 81010 to sign up in Remind.
- Downloadable Fast Facts graphics: Coming soon
- School Finance Explainer video
- Visit the Financial Transparency page for detailed information about the district’s finances.