GERONIMO, TX — September 2, 2026 —  On August 31, the Navarro ISD Board of Trustees held a public hearing and a special meeting to approve a lowered tax rate while maintaining a balanced budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The board’s action delivers on its promise to taxpayers to manage public dollars conservatively while prioritizing student success amidst continued community growth.

The total adopted tax rate for 2026 is $1.1687 per $100 of property valuation—comprising $0.6687 for Maintenance and Operations (M&O) and $0.5000 for Interest and Sinking (I&S) to cover principal and interest on debt services, including the new 2026 bond issue. This reflects an overall tax rate decrease from the 2025-26 rate of $1.2228, driven by a $0.0541 reduction in the M&O rate.

The approved expenditure totals for the $40,575,355 General Fund, $2,202,505 Child Nutrition Fund, and $12,244,569 Debt Service Fund fully fund anticipated operations while absorbing major investments in district personnel.

"I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our School Board for their support and oversight and our Chief Financial Officer Paul Neuhoff and the business office team for their hard work and dedication," said Superintendent Dr. Mandy D. Epley. "Despite navigating many complex legislative changes in the reporting and budgeting process this year, Mr. Neuhoff’s expertise ensured we delivered a sound, transparent financial plan. This budget not only supports our dedicated staff with well-deserved compensation increases, but it also directly honors our promise to taxpayers to use every dollar effectively while advancing student academic outcomes and expanding programs across the district." 

The balanced budget accounts for the previously adopted compensation plan—which includes a 3% general pay increase at the midpoint for all employees, increased health insurance contributions, and substitute pay parity—alongside strategic addition of 38.5 new staff positions to keep pace with rapidly expanding student enrollment.

"The Board remains dedicated to upholding the highest standards of financial transparency and being responsible, conservative stewards of our community's taxpayer dollars," said Board President Melissa Sartain. "We are incredibly proud to maintain a balanced budget that gets our students what they need to learn, our teachers what they need to teach, and our programs the opportunity to excel, even through this fast growth. The great work done by our administration and Mr. Neuhoff proves that we can invest conservatively in our future while keeping Navarro ISD a premier district to live and work in."