ECISD receives funding primarily from local property taxes and state funding. A much smaller portion comes from federal sources.

The amount received from each source may change from year to year based on property values, student attendance, legislative decisions and state funding formulas.

No. Enrollment determines how many students the district must serve, but state funding is influenced heavily by student attendance and other elements of the state funding formula.

ECISD must plan for teachers, classrooms, transportation and services for enrolled students even when attendance-related funding does not reflect those costs.

Texas funds school districts based on average daily attendance rather than total enrollment. When students are absent, the district may receive less funding even though many of its costs remain the same.

Teachers, buses, utilities, facilities and student services must still be available, regardless of daily fluctuations in attendance.

An increase in property values may increase the amount collected locally, but it does not always result in an equal increase in total district funding.

Under the state funding system, higher local collections reduce the district's state aid. In many cases, the source of the funding changes more than the total amount available.

School districts have experienced higher costs for utilities, transportation, fuel, insurance, safety, technology, supplies, healthcare and employee compensation.

When funding does not grow at the same pace as operating costs, districts must identify savings, reduce spending or reconsider programs and staffing.

The operating budget supports the recurring costs of running the school district, including:

• Employee salaries and benefits
• Classroom instruction and student services
• Transportation and fuel
• Utilities and facility maintenance
• Safety and security
• Technology and instructional resources
• Insurance and other operating expenses

Public education is a people-centered investment. Approximately 81% of ECISD’s operating budget is allocated to employee salaries and benefits.

This includes teachers and instructional staff, along with bus drivers, custodians, counselors, nurses, police officers, cafeteria employees, technology staff, maintenance employees and many others who support students.

Because employee salaries and benefits represent the largest portion of the operating budget, there are limited opportunities to make significant reductions without affecting positions, programs or services.

ECISD first works to identify efficiencies and reduce costs away from the classroom. However, substantial or repeated funding shortfalls can eventually affect the people and services closest to students.

The district evaluates student needs, enrollment, staffing, academic priorities, safety requirements, operational costs and long-term financial obligations.

ECISD works to protect classroom instruction, retain qualified employees, maintain essential student services and remain financially responsible to taxpayers.

Any amount identified as the prior-year operating budget reflects the district’s previously published budget. Updated budget information will be posted after the new budget is finalized and approved by the Board of Trustees.

Visit the Budget & Financial Stewardship page for the latest published information.

The school district tax rate has two components:

• Maintenance and Operations, or M&O: Supports employee salaries, classroom programs, utilities, transportation, maintenance and other daily operating expenses.
• Interest and Sinking, or I&S: Repays debt associated with voter-approved bonds used for construction, renovations, equipment and major capital projects.

ECISD’s published total tax rate is $0.9319 per $100 of taxable property value. It includes:

• M&O tax rate: $0.6669
• I&S tax rate: $0.2650

Tax rates are adopted annually and may change. Visit the Tax Rate Information page for the latest adopted rate and supporting documents.

No. The tax rate is applied to a property’s taxable value after applicable exemptions. The amount owed depends on the taxable value established by the appraisal district, the adopted tax rate and any exemptions for which the property owner qualifies.

ECISD does not determine property values. Property appraisals are handled by the county appraisal district.

Yes. A property owner’s total tax bill is affected by both the tax rate and the property’s taxable value.

A lower tax rate does not always produce a lower tax bill when taxable property values increase. Exemptions and other individual circumstances may also affect the final amount.

No. Property values are determined by the county appraisal district, which is separate from East Central ISD.

ECISD adopts a tax rate and applies that rate to the taxable values certified by the appraisal district.

A school bond is a voter-approved method of borrowing money for major capital projects. Bond funds may be used for new schools, renovations, buses, technology, safety improvements and other long-term assets permitted by law.

The district repays the debt over time through the I&S portion of the tax rate.

No. Bond funds cannot be used to pay employee salaries, utilities, fuel or other recurring operating expenses.

Bond proceeds are legally restricted to approved capital purposes, such as construction, renovations, equipment and major facility improvements.

Construction and daily operations are funded through separate sources. Voter-approved bond funds may pay for buildings, but they cannot pay the recurring costs of operating those schools.

Once a school opens, the operating budget must support teachers, administrators, custodians, bus service, utilities, technology, safety and other ongoing needs.

ECISD publishes information about voter-approved bond programs, project timelines and construction progress on the district website.

Visit the Bond Program page for current project information.

ECISD’s finances are reviewed through multiple accountability systems, including annual independent financial audits, state financial reporting requirements and the Texas Education Agency’s School FIRST rating system.

The district also publishes budgets, audits, tax information, debt reports and other financial records for public review.

School FIRST stands for the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas. It evaluates how well school districts manage their financial resources.

The system reviews financial practices, reporting, cash management, debt obligations and other indicators of fiscal responsibility.

ECISD earned an A for Superior Achievement and a perfect score of 100 on its most recently published School FIRST rating.

Ratings are updated periodically. Visit the Financial Transparency page to review the latest available reports.

Budgets, annual financial reports, audits, School FIRST ratings, tax information, debt records and other financial documents are available through ECISD’s Financial Transparency resources.

Visit the Financial Transparency page to access published documents.

Community members may review Board agendas, attend public meetings, watch presentations, examine published financial documents and follow district updates.

Visit the district calendar for upcoming meetings and events.

Yes. ECISD encourages parents, employees, taxpayers and community members to ask questions, attend meetings and participate in district surveys and engagement opportunities.

Visit the Engage page to learn more about ways to participate.

Public records may be requested in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act. Some information may be withheld or redacted when required or permitted by law.

Visit the district’s Public Information Requests page for submission instructions.