(Geronimo) — The Navarro ISD 2026-2027 budget process has officially wrapped up.
As part of that process, the district announces a lower property tax rate and a balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
The approved budget overall includes $40.6 million for the General Fund, $2.2 million for the Child Nutrition Fund and $12.2 million for the Debt Service Fund.
Navarro ISD Superintendent Dr. Mandy Epley says the school board approved a total tax rate of $1.1687 per $100 of property valuation. She says that’s down from the 2025-26 tax rate of $1.2228.
“As we make plans with our budget, we are very much in a mindset of respect for our taxpayers. And so, to be able to ultimately lower that tax rate from last year was something we were very pleased to be able to approve and to approve a budget that was a budget that was not in deficit is also something we are extremely proud of,” said Epley.
Epley says the new rate includes $0.6687 for Maintenance and Operations and $0.5000 for Interest and Sinking, which covers principal and interest on district debt, including the district’s new 2026 bond issue. Epley adds that the overall reduction was driven by a $0.0541 decrease in the Maintenance and Operations side of the tax rate.
“We were able to go ahead and pass the 2026 bond, which allows for those expanded buildings as we manage our growth. It does take our INS tax rate to the maximum 50 cent, but we had that rate last year as well. And so, we kept our promise of not increasing that rate,” said Epley.
The balanced budget includes the district’s previously approved compensation plan, which provides a 3 percent general pay increase at the midpoint for all employees. The plan also includes increased health insurance contributions and substitute pay parity.
Meanwhile, Epley says the district is also considering its future by conservatively ensuring future positions – such as the 38.5 new staff positions that are included.
“So as we watch our projections, we are mindful of needing to have class sizes that are appropriate for student learning. And as we monitor that growth of the population, we are not only looking at that class size ratio, but we’re also looking at expanded programs. I do have reserve positions that the school board has approved, but we will not release those unless those students come to the district and then that position is necessary because that funding from the state allows us to be able to go ahead and hire an additional teacher. So, it is very tightly tied to that increase in enrollment,” said Epley.
Epley like other district officials say she appreciates the district’s financial team which was able to develop a sound plan despite a number of challenges associated with legislative and budgetary changes.
“I am very proud of the work that our school board and our district have done to be able to have a budget come forward that is not in deficit. We are very cognizant that the taxpayers are making sacrifices in paying their taxes and do that to make sure that we have a quality district. And so, as we look at our expenses, we’re putting those dollars where it is going to impact students the most,” said Epley.
Additional information on the budget can be found on the district’s website.