The Stafford Municipal School District (SMSD) Board of Trustees and the City Council convened on June 30, 2025, to address several pressing issues affecting the district and its funding mechanisms. The meeting opened with a brief confirmation of audio connectivity, followed by an invitation for questions from trustees and council members.

One of the initial inquiries focused on the classification of Stafford within Texas coastal counties. It was confirmed that Stafford is not considered part of these coastal counties. The discussion then shifted to the implications of defeasance for districts that do not receive state aid, with a representative clarifying that Stafford, being property wealthy, would not face penalties for defeasance.

The conversation progressed to House Bill 2, which pertains to teacher incentives. A key point raised was whether the district is obligated to pay incentives for teachers hired after October, despite the state ceasing funding for those positions. It was confirmed that the district must adhere to its pay scale, although it would not receive state retention allotments for those teachers until the following year.

The topic of school vouchers was also addressed, with details provided about the $10,000 voucher available to parents for their children to attend accredited schools. It was noted that parents would not receive cash directly; instead, the funding would be allocated to the schools upon verification of enrollment.

Further discussions included the potential permanence of the $4,000 increase for teachers in small districts, as outlined in recent legislation. While the law suggests this increase could be permanent, concerns were raised about the unpredictability of future funding cycles and the possibility of legislative changes.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the impact of these funding changes on the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) calculations. It was confirmed that the new allotments would be considered creditable expenditures for TRS purposes.

Overall, the meeting highlighted significant financial and legislative challenges facing the Stafford MSD, with a focus on ensuring equitable funding and support for educators in the district. The board and council members expressed a commitment to tracking these developments closely and advocating for the district's needs in future legislative sessions.