August 26, 2025
Amy Pawlak
Bullard ISD Public Relations Coordinator
903.894.6639
PRESS RELEASE
Bullard ISD adopts 2025-2026 budget, sets tax rates
Bullard, TX – The Bullard ISD Board of Trustees adopted the 2025–2026 budget and set the district’s annual tax rate during a special meeting on Monday, Aug. 25.
Trustees approved a $33,725,000 budget for the upcoming school year and adopted a total tax rate of $1.2469 per $100 valuation. This includes a maintenance and operations (M&O) rate of $0.7469 and an interest and sinking (I&S) rate of $0.50.
Compared to the 2024–2025 adopted rate, both the M&O and I&S rates remain unchanged. The steady I&S rate is directly tied to the $103 million bond package approved by voters in May 2022. In addition, the district refinanced a portion of the Series 2014 and Series 2015 bonds in October 2024, saving taxpayers approximately $3 million.
Like many districts across Texas, Bullard ISD faces financial challenges in the new budget cycle. The 2025–2026 budget includes a general fund shortfall of $400,000 due to rising costs from inflation and limited increases to the state’s basic instructional allotment. Thanks to strong financial planning over the past five years, Bullard ISD has built a healthy fund balance and will use those funds to help offset the deficit.
“As a result of HB 2, school districts have experienced unprecedented changes in school finance,” said Ramsey Starks, chief financial officer for Bullard ISD. “Our team continues to work diligently to ensure students succeed both inside and outside the classroom, while providing staff with the resources they need to perform at the highest level.”
Despite the deficit, the district continues to prioritize competitive pay for teachers and staff. For 2025–2026:
- First-year teachers received a $2,000 raise.
- Teachers with one to four years of experience received a $4,000 raise.
- Teachers with five or more years of experience received an $8,000 raise.
- All non-teaching staff received a 5% raise at the midpoint.
The full 2025-2026 approved budget and tax rate history are available at www.BullardISD.net.
For more information, please contact Amy Pawlak, Bullard ISD Public Relations Coordinator.
