Del Valle ISD Adopts Balanced Budget for 2025–2026, Prioritizing Students and Supporting Staff with Salary Increases

At its meeting on June 17, the Del Valle ISD Board of Trustees approved a balanced budget for the 2025–2026 school year, reaffirming the district’s commitment to student success and staff support, in a year marked by financial constraints, rising costs, and limited new state funding.

This year’s budget process was especially challenging as inflation and operational costs continued to outpace revenue growth, requiring careful planning and a strong focus on protecting what matters most: classroom instruction, student support services, and competitive compensation for educators and staff.

“Throughout this process, our priority remained clear: protect instruction, support our staff, and present a fiscally responsible, balanced budget that meets the needs of our students and community,” said Superintendent Dr. Matthew Gutierrez.

Strategic Efficiencies to Achieve Balance

To achieve a balanced budget, which started earlier this year with a projected $13 million budget gap, district leaders implemented several cost-saving measures:

• Strategic staffing reductions, mostly through attrition
• Tighter campus and department budgets
• Improved operational efficiencies

Despite these reductions, essential services remain intact, and the district has ensured the continuity of the instructional experience in classrooms.

“Our staff showed incredible professionalism and dedication during a time of uncertainty,” Dr. Gutierrez added. “Together with the support of our Board of Trustees, we achieved a balanced budget that reflects both our investment in people and our commitment to students.”

Investing in Teachers and Staff

The approved budget includes targeted salary increases for all employees, with a focus on classroom teachers and early-career educators.

Teacher Salary Increases
In alignment with House Bill 2, DVISD will provide:

• $5,000 increase for teachers with 5+ years of experience
• $2,500 increase for teachers with 3–4 years of experience

 Additionally, the district is using local funds to go beyond the state’s requirements and increase pay for newer educators: 

• $1,500 increase for teachers with 1–2 years of experience
• New starting teacher salary: $60,000

Raises for All Other Staff
Employees not eligible under HB 2 - including paraprofessionals, clerical and auxiliary staff, counselors, nurses, librarians, and administrators - will receive a 1.5% salary increase, based on each position’s midpoint.

Continued Advocacy for State Support

While the district welcomes targeted support through HB 2, DVISD continues to advocate for more sustainable and equitable funding from the state. The basic allotment—the core per-student funding mechanism—was increased by only $55 per student this year. However, inflation over the last five years has created an estimated $1,500 per-student funding gap, putting continued pressure on local districts to do more with less.