Willis ISD Budget: Deficit, Compensation, Future Plans
Willis ISD faces an $8.9M deficit & rapid growth. The board meets June 12 to discuss a budget with a proposed 2% staff raise, a tax rate cut, and $11.7M
WILLIS, Texas — The Willis Independent School District Board of Trustees will convene for its second budget workshop this Wednesday, June 12, at 6 p.m. to address a tightening financial landscape characterized by a projected $8.9 million deficit and the complexities of managing one of the fastest-growing student populations in Montgomery County.
At the center of the upcoming discussion is a proposed 2024-25 compensation plan that would provide a 2% pay increase based on the midpoint salary for all teachers and staff. While the move is designed to maintain competitive wages in a tight labor market, the district estimates it will add approximately $2.1 million to the expenditure column, further challenging the district’s efforts to bridge the multi-million dollar budget gap.
Chief Financial Officer Sheri Storer has signaled that relief for taxpayers is on the horizon, with a proposed tax rate of $1.0204 per $100 valuation for the 2024-25 fiscal year. This marks a $0.0544 decrease from the 2023-24 rate of $1.0748. Despite the lower rate, the district’s operational capacity remains constrained by "recapture"—often referred to as the "Robin Hood" law—which requires property-wealthy districts to send local tax revenue back to the state. Willis ISD estimates it will pay $11.7 million in recapture for the upcoming year, a figure that officials say significantly hinders the district's ability to fund daily operations.
Superintendent Dr. Tim Harkrider has repeatedly urged state lawmakers to provide increased per-student funding, noting that the status quo is increasingly untenable. The district is bracing for an influx of approximately 700 new students this fall, a growth trend that exacerbates the need for both staffing and physical space. Harkrider has identified the construction of a second high school as a critical priority, aiming for a 2026 completion date to accommodate the surge in enrollment.
These infrastructure needs have become a point of tension for the community following the failure of a $220.4 million bond package on May 4. The proposal, which sought to fund a new elementary school, land acquisitions, and a new bus facility, was rejected by voters, forcing the district to re-evaluate its long-term construction strategy. The board is expected to discuss the timeline and potential scope for a future bond election during the upcoming session.
The district’s fiscal calendar is moving quickly toward adoption. Following Wednesday’s workshop, a formal budget presentation is scheduled for the regular Board of Trustees meeting on June 17. Residents will have the opportunity to provide feedback during a public hearing on the budget and proposed tax rate on July 10, with final adoption by the board slated for July 15.
The workshop will take place at the Willis ISD Parent Resource Center, located at 204 W. Rogers St., Willis, Texas. Meeting agendas, financial reports, and details regarding the proposed budget can be found on the district’s official website at www.willisisd.org.