Wylie Independent School District (Wylie ISD) has proposed a $291.2 million budget for the 2025–26 school year, reflecting a 0.45% decrease from the 2024–25 amended budget.

District trustees are scheduled to adopt the budget on June 16, following a required public hearing that evening.

The general fund projects $206.3 million in revenue and $223.3 million in expenditures, resulting in a projected $17 million deficit. Provisions from the recently adopted House Bill 2 (HB 2)—including mandated teacher raises—could grow the deficit to $20 million. Wylie ISD would use its fund balance to offset the gap, a common approach for Texas districts.

Revenue is down nearly 3% compared to the 2024–25 budget due to the expiration of certain federal funds and changes in state formulas, even as local property tax revenue rises by 8%.

The proposed budget includes $6.6 million in new payroll expenditures in the general fund. This includes a 1% across-the-board raise for all staff, costing about $1.8 million, and an additional $2.1 million each for new staffing allocations and special education positions. Another $590,000 is designated for market-based pay adjustments.

The passage of HB 2 gives teachers with three to four years of experience a $2,500 raise, and those with five or more years an increase of $5,500.

Wylie ISD’s plan extends raises to newer teachers, nurses, counselors, librarians, and administrators, aiming to remain competitive with nearby districts such as Rockwall, Plano, and Allen ISDs—each of which is offering salary increases ranging from 3% to 3.6%.

The total payroll increase across all funds exceeds $10.7 million, a notable investment aligned with the district’s strategic goal of retaining and developing a high-quality workforce.

Wylie ISD anticipates enrollment will rise by about 60 students, bringing total enrollment to 19,560. While the increase is modest, internal projections and census-based estimates show that younger families continue to move into the district, particularly in early grade levels such as kindergarten and first grade.

Since Texas schools are funded based on average daily attendance (ADA) rather than enrollment, maintaining attendance rates is key to revenue. Despite some ADA fluctuations, Wylie ISD projects a slight bump in revenue from guaranteed yield increases, from $129.52 to $132.04 per weighted student.

District data also shows a growing number of aging residents, reflecting a broader shift in household composition that could impact future enrollment trends and community services.

Instructional spending remains the district’s top priority, with $133.7 million allocated to classroom teaching. This equates to $6,832 per student, down slightly from the previous year. Spending on curriculum and instructional staff development remains level at just under $6 million.

According to Wylie ISD’s human resources team, the district will add 25 new teaching positions, including 16 in special education. Administrative staff will increase by two, with one new principal and one assistant principal slated for Kreymer Elementary. Additionally, 15 new paraprofessionals will be hired to support instructional and student needs across campuses.

Other instructional support categories—such as guidance, counseling, school leadership and social work—see slight increases. For example, school leadership rises to $11.4 million, while student counseling and evaluation services grow to $6.5 million.

Operationally, transportation services increase by 16.8% to $9.06 million, due in part to growth and inflation. Plant maintenance and operations are budgeted at $21.65 million, while security and monitoring services increase to $2.68 million. Technology services, including data processing, total $5.43 million.

The student nutrition fund is projected to run a deficit but remains stable due to an available fund balance. Food services spending increases by nearly 16.5%, to $12.98 million.

The debt service fund grows by nearly 16% to $54.9 million, largely due to scheduled bond payments. This equates to $2,806 per student, up from $2,427 in 2024–25.

Tax rate adjustments will depend on certified property values, expected in July. The current maintenance and operations (M&O) rate is $0.734 per $100 of valuation, with a potential decrease under new legislation. The interest and sinking (I&S) rate stands at $0.455, though changes are possible pending legislative action and updated property valuations.

State-level proposals such as increased homestead exemptions and further tax compression could impact the district’s ability to generate local revenue for debt and operations.

House Bill 2, which has been approved by both the House and the Senate, has been sent to Gov. Greg Abbott. It includes a $55 increase to the basic allotment, as well as new funding tiers for special education and the Teacher Incentive Allotment. While some provisions take effect in 2026–27, the compensation-related changes could impact Wylie ISD’s 2025–26 obligations.

The board is expected to adopt the general fund, nutrition, and debt service budgets during its June 16 trustee meeting, after a required public hearing.

Certified values will be received in July, and the official tax rate will be adopted in August.

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