The Victoria ISD Board of Trustees on Thursday adopted a balanced budget for the 2025-26 school year and approved a total tax rate of $0.8035 per $100 of taxable value (80.35 cents), maintaining the district’s lowest combined rate in more than three decades, during a special-called board meeting.
Trustees approved budgets for Maintenance and Operations (M&O), Child Nutrition, and Interest and Sinking (I&S). The annual budget and tax rate directly affect the quality of education, resources in our classrooms, and opportunities for all students.
Highlights at a glance
Over 80% of the district’s M&O budget is payroll. This is the fifth straight year the district has been able to provide a salary increase to staff.
The remaining M&O budget includes some large expenditures, with over $3 million planned for safety, approximately $6.3 million for curriculum and extracurricular resources. There are also a number of non-negotiables: $4 million for insurance premiums; $4 million for utilities and fuel; $1.6 million for the central appraisal district fees; and approximately $1.6 million for technology resources.
Other maintenance needs for emergency facility repairs, bus replacements will continue to come from fund balance, as long as it is available. The district must maintain at least 75 days of operating costs for natural disasters and emergencies.
Budget totals
Total 2025-26 budget: $159,024,974
M&O: $139,045,858
Child Nutrition: $9,904,916
I&S: $10,074,200
Tax rate details
Total tax rate: $0.8035 per $100 of taxable value
M&O component: 0.6969%, which is the same rate adopted for the 2024–2025 school year, and the lowest in over 34 years.
I&S component: 0.1066%, which is the current I&S rate and the lowest since 2006.
Under current Texas law, school districts exempt the first $100,000 of a qualified residence homestead’s value, which reduces the taxable value.
In addition, once a homeowner turns 65 or qualifies as disabled, a school district tax ceiling generally limits future school district taxes on that homestead so they do not increase above the amount paid in the first year of eligibility, except for taxes attributable to new improvements.
If voters approve Proposition 13 on November 4, 2025, the base school district homestead exemption increases from $100,000 to $140,000 for Tax Year 2025. If Proposition 11/Senate Bill 23 also passes, the over-65 and/or disabled add-on exemption increases from $10,000 to $60,000.
For questions about applying for exemptions, contact the Victoria Central Appraisal District, 361.576.3621.
“Tonight’s action adopts a balanced budget that keeps our focus on classrooms and student support while living within our means,” said Michelle Yates, Chief Financial Officer. “We built this plan on conservative revenue assumptions, prioritized compensation and campus resources, and maintained a responsible fund balance, all while honoring the Board’s commitment to maintain the lowest combined tax rate in more than 30 years.”
The Board conducted a public meeting on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, before taking action on the budget and tax rate.
Budget and tax documents will be posted at www.visd.net following the board meeting.