Godley ISD school board trustees adopted the 2025-26 budget at the monthly meeting on June 16, 2025, at Godley 6th Grade Campus.

During a public hearing, Chief Financial Officer Spencer Davis led the board through the upcoming budget analysis, reviewing materials from two prior budget workshops.  Adoption of the building begins a new fiscal year, which now begins in July rather than September going forward.

A budget amendment is planned prior to the start of the school year to implement raises for teachers and employees following a new school finance law passed by the Texas Legislature.  The new law primarily provides a significant raise for classroom teachers.  For school districts with less than 5,000 students, teachers will receive $8,000 if they have five or more years of experience and $4,000 for those with 3-4 years of experience. Raises are also planned for other employees.

Adoption of the tax rate will wait until August after the district receives certified values from county appraisal districts.  The proposed tax rate of $1.2722 per $100 of property valuation includes a slight decrease in the district’s maintenance and operation tax rate from $0.7869 to $0.7722 due to mandatory tax rate compression.  The interest and sinking tax rate for debt service would remain at $0.50.

Following a presentation from a roofing consultant, trustees approved contracts with DT Commercial Roofing Systems to replace portions of roofs at both Godley 6th Grade Campus and R.B. Godley Elementary School.  The consultant is still evaluating the roof at Legacy Elementary School.

Additional reports to the board included:

• Davis reported on renovations at the future business and student services center near R.B. Godley, where some administrative offices are moving to free up classroom space at Legacy. 
• Kurtis Flood, principal of Godley High School, reviewed recent legislation proposed to bar students from using personal communications devices during the school day.  The district and high school recently announced an administrative regulation that will restrict student cell phone use.  If the legislation is signed into law, the board will be required to adopt a policy to comply with the new statute.
• Assistant Superintendent Jason Karnes outlined proposed facility regulations designed to promote safety as well as good sportsmanship among students and spectators.
• Karnes presented Policy Update 125 with local policy changes recommended by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB).
• Dr. Melissa Block, the new chief human resources officer, provided a preliminary review of proposed local policy changes providing students, families, and staff with clear guidance regarding requests for alternate names or pronouns.  The draft policies reaffirm the district’s commitment to parental rights, but staff members would not be compelled to comply with a request from a student or parent.
• Karnes presented information on new legislation that requires school districts to adopt a policy regarding participation of non-enrolled students in some extracurricular activities.  The governor has not yet signed the bill so the status is pending.
• Campus principals presented preliminary student handbooks for the new school year.

The board approved minutes from the most recent monthly meeting, financial reports and budget amendments.  Trustees also approved additional purchasing cooperatives as well as bank depository contracts with ACS Bank and Wells Fargo Bank for the 2025-27 biennium.

School trustees will hold their next regularly scheduled board meeting on Monday, Jul. 21.