Budget & Financial Stewardship
Budget & Financial Stewardship
Investing in People. Delivering Results.
East Central ISD carefully manages taxpayer dollars to support students, retain outstanding employees, protect essential programs and plan responsibly for the district’s future.
Doing More With Less
ECISD operates with comparatively low per-student spending while delivering strong academic growth and maintaining the lowest school tax rate in Bexar County.
Where the Budget Goes
Public education is a people-centered investment.
The district’s most important investments are the people who teach, transport, feed, protect, guide and support students every day.
81%
Invested in employees
Approximately 81% of ECISD’s operating budget supports employee salaries and benefits.
We are in the people business.
Classroom teachers are central to student growth and learning, but it takes an entire team to operate a school district and provide students with a safe, supportive and well-rounded educational experience.
Students also depend on counselors, nurses, librarians, instructional specialists, cafeteria employees, custodians, bus drivers, police officers, technology staff, office professionals, coaches, fine arts educators and many others.
ECISD also provides specialized services and learning opportunities, including special education, gifted and talented education, bilingual education, Career and Technical Education, advanced academics, extracurricular activities and student support services.
Because such a large share of the budget supports employees, significant funding reductions can ultimately affect positions, programs, class sizes and services.
Supporting Every Student
It takes many people and systems to help students thrive.
Teaching & Learning
Teachers, instructional specialists, classroom aides, curriculum resources and professional learning support high-quality instruction.
Student Support
Counselors, nurses, social services, special programs and mental health supports help students overcome barriers to success.
School Operations
Custodians, maintenance employees, office staff and technology teams keep schools safe, functional and ready for learning.
Transportation
Bus drivers, mechanics, fuel, routing and vehicle maintenance help students travel safely to and from school.
Safety & Security
Police officers, security systems, emergency planning and campus safety measures protect students and staff.
Enrichment & Opportunity
Fine arts, athletics, clubs, Career and Technical Education and advanced learning expand opportunities beyond the classroom.
The Operating Budget
Funding the daily work of educating students.
ECISD’s operating budget pays for the recurring costs required to keep schools open, staffed, safe and prepared to serve students throughout the school year. The amount shown below reflects the district’s previously published operating budget and will be updated after the new budget is approved.
What operating funds support
The operating budget provides salaries, employee benefits, classroom resources, utilities, transportation, food services, maintenance, insurance, technology, safety and student services.
These are ongoing expenses that must be paid every year. They are separate from voter-approved bond funds, which are restricted to construction, major renovations, equipment and other capital projects.
Bond dollars cannot be used to pay employee salaries or recurring operating expenses.
Prior-year operating budget $126.2M
This amount reflects ECISD’s previously published operating budget. The district’s updated operating budget will be posted here following final approval by the Board of Trustees.
Updated budget information coming soon.
Budget Priorities
Protecting the people and programs closest to students.
ECISD evaluates spending carefully and works to balance employee needs, student services, operational requirements and long-term financial stability.
✓
Retain outstanding employees
Recruit and retain qualified teachers, support staff and school leaders who serve students.
✓
Protect student programs
Preserve instruction, intervention, enrichment and support services that directly affect student success.
✓
Maintain employee benefits
Support competitive benefits while managing rising healthcare and insurance costs.
✓
Identify efficiencies
Review programs, contracts and operations to direct resources toward the district’s highest priorities.
✓
Plan for enrollment growth
Prepare for additional students, staffing, transportation and services as the community grows.
✓
Maintain financial stability
Build a sustainable budget that protects taxpayers and supports the district’s long-term responsibilities.
Financial Achievements
A record of responsible financial management.
Independent ratings, audits and debt-management results provide evidence of ECISD’s commitment to transparency, accountability and responsible stewardship.
A
Superior FIRST Rating
ECISD has earned an A for Superior Achievement through the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas.
100
Perfect FIRST Score
The district earned a perfect score of 100 on its most recently published School FIRST rating.
CLEAN
Independent Audit
ECISD’s independent financial audit found no significant errors or issues in the district’s financial reporting.
Aa2
Moody’s Bond Rating
ECISD maintains an Aa2 bond rating, reflecting a strong financial position and very low credit risk.
$6M+
in Long-Term Debt Savings
Strategic refinancing has reduced projected debt costs by more than $6 million, lowering the burden on taxpayers. These savings are separate from the operating funds used for daily district expenses.
LOW
Taxpayer Burden
ECISD maintains the lowest total school district property-tax rate in Bexar County.
100
What is the School FIRST rating?
The Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas, known as School FIRST, evaluates how well public school districts manage their financial resources.
The system reviews financial practices, cash management, accountability, debt obligations and other indicators of fiscal responsibility.
ECISD’s Superior Achievement rating and perfect score demonstrate strong financial controls and responsible local decision-making.
Our Approach to Stewardship
Every dollar creates value for students and taxpayers.
01
Prioritize students
Direct resources toward instruction, student support and opportunities that improve outcomes.
02
Support employees
Invest in the people whose expertise, commitment and service drive student success.
03
Control costs
Evaluate spending, identify efficiencies and actively manage debt to reduce costs.
04
Remain transparent
Provide budgets, audits, tax rates, financial ratings and debt information for public review.
Financial Documents
Review ECISD’s financial information.
The district publishes budgets, audits, tax rates, debt information and financial accountability reports to help the community understand how public funds are managed.
Financial Transparency Access district financial reports and public records. Adopted & Proposed Budgets Review current and previous district budgets. Audits & FIRST Ratings View independent audits and financial accountability reports. Tax Rate Information Learn how the district tax rate is structured and calculated. Debt Transparency Review outstanding debt and debt-service information. School Funding Explained Understand local, state and federal funding sources.
Responsible Stewardship. Stronger Results.
ECISD is committed to maintaining low taxes, managing resources carefully and investing in the people, programs and systems that help students succeed. This is how we continue doing more with less while building brighter futures for students and the community.
Budget 2024-2025
Prioritizing Students & Staff
As we continue the budget-building process, East Central ISD is dedicated to:
- Retaining our outstanding teachers and staff
- Maintaining all current employee benefits
- Identifying efficiencies within the operating budgets
- Protecting student programs and services
- Striving to create a balanced budget that considers employee pay