The Longview ISD Board of Trustees received their first look at a proposed $150.4 million budget for the 2025-26 school year, during their regular meeting Monday night.
The Longview ISD Board of Trustees received their first look at a proposed $150.4 million budget for the 2025-26 school year during their regular meeting Monday night.
Despite state-level volatility and last-minute funding adjustments from Austin, Longview ISD has built a balanced General Fund budget, delivering on key priorities without drawing down reserves or inflating costs.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marla Sheppard said the proposed plan reflects both strong stewardship and a focused commitment to students.
"We are holding the line where it counts, investing boldly in our hard-working people, and ensuring every dollar delivers value for our amazing students and families," she said. "This proposed budget reflects both our values and our discipline."
The district projects $104.3 million in both General Fund revenues and expenditures, precisely balanced, with no deficit and no excess. The total proposed 2025-26 budget stands at $150.4 million, which includes $38.9 million allocated to the Interest & Sinking Fund for bond debt payments, and $7.2 million designated for child nutrition services.
By law, I&S funds may only be used for debt service on voter-approved bonds, and nutrition operations are sustained through a separate mix of state and federal aid.
"Each fund serves a specific purpose, and Longview ISD maintains strict discipline in ensuring every dollar is used appropriately and strategically," added Dr. Sheppard.
Longview ISD's balanced posture was aided, in part, by a late-stage $5 million reconciliation to the Foundation School Program revenue allocation, based on updated property values and enrollment data across the state.
Chief Financial Officer Dr. Wayne Guidry said the correction was welcome, but not relied upon.
"It came late in the process, but we had already built the budget to be responsible," he said. "We're managing long-term obligations on a short-cycle timeline. That's the environment we've been given to operate in."
Even with that complexity, the budget still provides for districtwide salary increases, protects all academic and extracurricular programming, and maintains conservative operational discipline.
A public hearing on the district's 2025-26 tax rate is scheduled for Aug. 25. Early estimates suggest the new rate will remain below the statutory maximum and may continue the district's multi-year trend of rate reductions.
Since 2018, Longview ISD has reduced its tax rate every year (from $1.513 in 2017-18 to $1.1351 in 2024-25) with the 2025-26 rate likely to decline even further, pending final certified values and compression calculations from the Texas Education Agency.
Dr. Sheppard emphasized that the budget is more than numbers on a spreadsheet; it's a mission in action.
"This isn't just a math exercise. It's about aligning our dollars with our commitments," she said. "This plan lets us keep our promises to our teachers, to our families, and to the future."
Looking ahead, Longview ISD is also laying the foundation for a more modern and forward-focused approach to budgeting, one less vulnerable to last-minute legislative surprises.
"We won't wait in the hallway when we know the door needs to be built," Dr. Sheppard said.
Trustees approve staff compensation increases
Later, board members approved a district-wide compensation plan for the 2025-26 school year that builds on last month's decision to set the minimum teacher salary at $55,000. Librarians and registered nurses will receive a $1,500 raise, while hourly support staff earn 3 percent increases, and administrative professionals receive 2 percent pay bumps.
These moves come atop the teacher salary enhancements already approved, bringing total additional investment to $714,259.46.
Under the teacher pay structure adopted in June, Longview ISD now offers tiered experience-based raises: $1,500 for first-year teachers, $1,535 for second-year, $2,500 for educators with 3-4 years, and $5,000 for those with five or more years of experience.
The salary range also now extends to a top base salary of $70,975, with supplemental stipends of $1,000 for master's degree holders and $1,500 for doctorate degree holders.
Chief Human Resources Officer Ms. Shalona McCray emphasized the district's dual aim.
"We want to stay competitive in recruiting and retaining our best people," she said. "These targeted increases, layered on across all roles, reflect our commitment to fairness and to honoring the work happening in classrooms, libraries, nurses' offices, and every support role."
These adjustments align with the requirements of House Bill 2, passed during Texas's 89th Legislature, while reinforcing Longview ISD's internal equity goals.
With more than 693 professional staff, 438 hourly employees, and 76 administrative professionals, the plan addresses real-life impacts: a new teacher entering the profession now earns a guaranteed $55,000, reflecting a deliberate step forward in ensuring Longview ISD is an employer of choice in East Texas.
New state-mandated cell phone policy adopted
Trustees also approved a new districtwide policy regulating student use of personal communication devices on campus, in compliance with House Bill 1481 passed by the Texas Legislature.
The newly adopted FNCE (LOCAL) policy states that students may not use personal communication devices (such as phones, earbuds, or smartwatches) on school property during the school day. Devices must remain stored and out of sight unless a specific, documented exception applies.
But those exceptions are few.
A student may use their device only if it is necessary for a special education accommodation or 504 plan, required by a physician's directive, or needed to comply with documented health and safety protocols. Otherwise, any visible or audible device use during the day will be considered a violation.
Confiscated devices will not be discarded but will be held in accordance with district storage procedures. Students who violate the policy are subject to discipline under the Student Code of Conduct.
While the new rules are clear, district leaders also acknowledge that many parents rely on phones as a safety net for communicating with their children.
"We understand how disruptive this change may feel for families," said Superintendent Dr. Marla Sheppard. "Our role is to implement what the state requires while ensuring every campus is consistent, calm, and clear with expectations."
Dr. Sheppard noted that parent communication will continue through official district channels, and emergency protocols remain unchanged.
"Implementation details are being finalized at the campus level, with guidance from central administration," she said. "Students will receive direct instruction on the new rules during the first week of school, and signage will be posted in common areas to reinforce expectations.
The policy will apply from arrival to dismissal, including during passing periods and lunch, though teachers may authorize device use temporarily when it directly supports instruction.
Dr. Sheppard said Longview ISD will report annually to the Board on compliance and enforcement trends.
While the language of the law leaves little room for local discretion, Longview ISD leaders have signaled a commitment to rolling it out with professionalism, fairness, and empathy.
"We didn't write the law. But we do believe in leading with wisdom and care," she said.
Elevate 2030 Strategic Plan officially adopted
After months of data analysis, planning, and stakeholder feedback, the Board formally adopted the Elevate 2030 Strategic Plan, the District's blueprint for academic excellence, operational clarity, and student-centered innovation over the next five years.
The plan includes five core priorities aligned to measurable goals: student achievement, teacher development, community engagement, joyful learning environments, and operational excellence. It also introduces a refreshed Vision and Mission Statement, along with a bold new Portrait of a Graduate that outlines the skills and mindsets Longview ISD expects every student to embody upon graduation.
"This is more than a checklist or a slogan. It's a living commitment to our students, our families, and our staff," said Mr. Matthew Prosser, Chief of Strategic Initiatives. "It holds us accountable to the future we say we believe in, and we'll be measuring every step."
The plan will be hosted on the District website, and the community is invited to participate in a survey to share their feedback on the plan.
A public-facing version of the plan will be published later this month, along with a digital progress scorecard to track implementation and outcomes over time.
Board approves Special Education surveillance procedure
Trustees also authorized activation of video surveillance in self-contained Special Education classrooms, as required by Texas Education Code Section 29.022.
Director of Special Programs Ms. Kristal Linton explained that cameras are installed only when formally requested by a parent, staff member, or Board member, and only in classrooms that meet the state's definition.
"This is a safety measure, not a surveillance program," she said. "Access is limited, and we follow strict privacy rules."
Families of affected students will receive notification letters during the first week of school.
Bond construction continues, transportation project shifts
Chief of Facilities and Operations Mr. Samuel Kington reported that Longview ISD's 2024 bond program is currently $28 million under budget. Active projects include Coliseum upgrades, campus security fencing, and ESC office renovations.
The Transportation Facility project, which was approximately 30% designed by the architectural firm GFF, has been restructured. Longview ISD will now move forward with an engineered metal building estimated at $5.1 million, maintaining the original 13,000-square-foot program and staying on schedule with the initial project timeline.
Instructional tools approved for C&I
Two digital platforms were approved for K-8 implementation this fall: HMH Writable and Amira. Writable supports writing instruction and revision practice, while Amira is designed to build reading fluency and provide early dyslexia screening.
Both platforms align with STAAR 2.0 expectations and support Longview ISD's broader MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) strategy.
In Other Business
During the course of the meeting, the Longview ISD Board of Trustees also:
APPROVED Mr. Ted Beard as delegate and Ms. Lateefah Pruiit as alternate for the 2025 TASB Convention
APPROVED a resolution designating non-business days (Texas Public Information Act);
RECEIVED quarterly investment report and May 2025 financial statements;
APPROVED TASB Policy Update 125 and internal governance changes;
APPROVED Student accident and athletic insurance provider selection;
APPROVED setting Aug. 25 public hearing date for budget/tax rate
APPROVED the Communities In Schools contract renewal;
APPROVED the 2025-2026 Student Code of Conduct;
APPROVED Board Time Use Tracker adoption;
For more info
Trustees usually meet in the boardroom of the LISD Education Support Center (1301 E. Young Street). The next regular meeting is tentatively scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 18, 2025.
For more information about the Longview ISD Board of Trustees please click here.