Keller ISD trustees approve roughly $346 million 2026–27 budget with a small surplus
June 26, 2026 | KELLER ISD, School Districts, Texas
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Keller ISD trustees approved the district's 2026'17 budgets for the general, debt service and child nutrition funds during a special meeting, voting 6'0to'0 to adopt a plan described by staff as 'balanced with a surplus'.
The administration presented a proposed budget in the $346 million range, citing an on-paper surplus of about $321,000. The presentation included two close figures on slides: one reference to $346,084,328 and another to $346,450,813; staff said the differences stem from slide versions and the use of current templates and estimates while final property-value and tax calculations are completed.
The board heard that child nutrition is treated as a flow-through tied to a new vendor, and that debt service showed little change. John, a district presenter, noted the budget includes a step increase for teachers and a 1% pay raise for other employees, and pointed to a district increase in its share of health insurance costs.
A trustee asked about an apparent $6.5 million amended deficit reported for 2025'26 versus an earlier $150,000 surplus. John and finance staff explained the variance reflects accounting timing, Texas Education Agency (TEA) settlements, changes in how delinquent taxes are treated and other adjustments that affect on-paper figures at closeout; staff said they do not expect a large actual deficit when final reconciliations are complete.
"It's gonna be balanced with a surplus of 321,485," one presenter said when describing the proposed budget. Another trustee thanked business and finance staff for their work, noting years of reductions and steps taken to limit disruption to students.
Votes at a glance:
- Consent agenda (including routine items and a reported 14.8% reduction in casualty liability insurance): approved, voice vote 6'0to'0. Staff attributed the reduction to market stabilization and large hail-related claims rolling off the district's exposure.
- Employment recommendations (including approval to hire Ricardo Alvarez as principal of Caprock Elementary): approved, 6'0to'0.
- Purchases exceeding $25,000 (natatorium dehumidifying/filter system): postponed for further engineering specifications (staff requested 4'6 weeks).
- 2026'17 annual budget: approved, 6'0to'0.
- 2026'17 trustee assignments to campuses/committees: approved, 6'0to'0.
- Local policy EFB revisions (library book-purchase process clarifications): approved, 6'0to'0.
The board opened a public hearing for comment on the budget but no members of the public signed up to speak. Trustees then entered executive session to discuss superintendent priorities and the 2026'17 evaluation cycle under Texas Government Code provisions; the board returned from executive session and adjourned without reporting any action.
What happens next: staff said final TEA settlements and tax-value notifications over the summer will allow the district to close out the 2025'26 year and present final reconciliations in August or September.
The administration presented a proposed budget in the $346 million range, citing an on-paper surplus of about $321,000. The presentation included two close figures on slides: one reference to $346,084,328 and another to $346,450,813; staff said the differences stem from slide versions and the use of current templates and estimates while final property-value and tax calculations are completed.
The board heard that child nutrition is treated as a flow-through tied to a new vendor, and that debt service showed little change. John, a district presenter, noted the budget includes a step increase for teachers and a 1% pay raise for other employees, and pointed to a district increase in its share of health insurance costs.
A trustee asked about an apparent $6.5 million amended deficit reported for 2025'26 versus an earlier $150,000 surplus. John and finance staff explained the variance reflects accounting timing, Texas Education Agency (TEA) settlements, changes in how delinquent taxes are treated and other adjustments that affect on-paper figures at closeout; staff said they do not expect a large actual deficit when final reconciliations are complete.
"It's gonna be balanced with a surplus of 321,485," one presenter said when describing the proposed budget. Another trustee thanked business and finance staff for their work, noting years of reductions and steps taken to limit disruption to students.
Votes at a glance:
- Consent agenda (including routine items and a reported 14.8% reduction in casualty liability insurance): approved, voice vote 6'0to'0. Staff attributed the reduction to market stabilization and large hail-related claims rolling off the district's exposure.
- Employment recommendations (including approval to hire Ricardo Alvarez as principal of Caprock Elementary): approved, 6'0to'0.
- Purchases exceeding $25,000 (natatorium dehumidifying/filter system): postponed for further engineering specifications (staff requested 4'6 weeks).
- 2026'17 annual budget: approved, 6'0to'0.
- 2026'17 trustee assignments to campuses/committees: approved, 6'0to'0.
- Local policy EFB revisions (library book-purchase process clarifications): approved, 6'0to'0.
The board opened a public hearing for comment on the budget but no members of the public signed up to speak. Trustees then entered executive session to discuss superintendent priorities and the 2026'17 evaluation cycle under Texas Government Code provisions; the board returned from executive session and adjourned without reporting any action.
What happens next: staff said final TEA settlements and tax-value notifications over the summer will allow the district to close out the 2025'26 year and present final reconciliations in August or September.
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