Crowley ISD previews 2025–26 budget issues; says teacher pay and insurance still under review

Superintendent Michael McFarland told the Crowley ISD Board of Trustees that the district is preparing multiple budget scenarios for the 2025–26 fiscal year and that final revenue figures depend on recently passed legislation and the governor’s signature.

McFarland said earlier proposals discussed during the session sought a much larger increase in the basic allotment, but the bill the district expects will reach the governor’s desk would amount to roughly a $55 per‑student increase in state funding rather than the larger figures discussed earlier this year. He told trustees the district will continue to pursue compensation and insurance decisions locally and will present a range of budget scenarios to the board in coming weeks.

The superintendent outlined the timeline: staff plan to present scenarios at a June 17 budget meeting and hoped to present a proposed budget and compensation plan to the board by June 28, ahead of the district’s July 1 fiscal‑year start. McFarland said the district takes a conservative approach to revenue forecasts (using conservative headcount and ADA projections) and intentionally overestimates expenses to protect the fund balance. He reminded the board of an existing fund‑balance guideline the district uses (a target range of about 18%–21%).

Trustees asked about the impact of market volatility on district investments and on construction costs. McFarland said the district has diversified investments and had received the remaining bond proceeds for the voter‑approved program, and that using a construction manager‑at‑risk model secures a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) once a GMP is issued. He said that approach transfers certain market‑risk elements to the construction manager and gives the district certainty about final contract amounts once GMPs are set.

Board members pressed for clarity about whether state funding increases would directly produce a district‑wide teacher pay raise. McFarland said the state increase in the basic allotment does not automatically translate into direct, equal pay increases for Crowley ISD staff; the district’s decisions on compensation will be made locally and included in the June budget materials. He also said the district is prioritizing insurance‑cost adjustments and teacher compensation but that the dollar amounts depend on the final state template and the budget scenarios staff present.

McFarland said staff will bring several compensation scenarios and priorities for the board to consider at upcoming budget meetings and that administrators will recommend uses of any additional funds with an emphasis on investments “closest to the classroom.”