Galena Park ISD projects smaller deficit, proposes higher starting teacher pay and TRS ActiveCare support

Ben Pappy, Galena Park ISD chief financial officer, presented the district’s third budget workshop for fiscal year 2026–27 and outlined compensation and benefit assumptions that the administration plans to bring back to trustees for adoption.

Pappy said the TRS ActiveCare board updated premiums, producing average increases in the 20%–25% range and higher out-of-pocket costs for members. To address staffing and benefit pressures, the administration recommended a $1,450 increase for experienced returning teachers, a starting teacher salary of $68,250, a 2% general pay increase for other employees, and a $50 increase in the employer contribution to TRS ActiveCare. Pappy estimated those compensation changes would add about $4.3 million to the general fund.

The CFO also reported small downward adjustments to average daily attendance and property values, but no change to tax rates. After the updates and assumptions, Pappy said the district’s projected budget deficit decreased from $9.9 million to about $9.6 million compared with the prior month’s figures.

Pappy outlined next steps on the timeline: one more budget workshop in August, budget adoption at the board’s second August meeting, and tax-rate adoption in October. He told trustees staff will continue refining assumptions and return with updated numbers.

The presentation did not include formal board action on the compensation recommendations at this meeting; the agenda listed the compensation plan for later consideration. Trustees and the public may review detailed line-item assumptions and the full budget packet in the district’s posted meeting materials.

The district’s handling of TRS ActiveCare premiums and the employer contribution will affect employee take-home pay and district budget planning; the board is scheduled to review and vote on final budget and compensation items in August.