School Funding in Texas
When it comes to GISD school finance, making dollars stretch and spending them wisely are at the heart of everything we do. But where do those dollars actually come from?
Texas public schools are funded through a blend of local, state, and federal dollars—each playing a unique role in supporting student success. Here’s the breakdown:
local funding
Local Dollars come primarily from property taxes. These dollars are raised right here in our community and help provide foundational support for school operations.
state funding
State Dollars are calculated on our GISD students’ attendance using the state’s per student dollar amount. We do receive additional funding for students who qualify for special programs and/or other services.
federal funding
Federal Dollars vary by district and in GISD, these dollars make up the smallest piece of the pie and are targeted to support special education services.
Looking at our District’s Dollars
In our district, every dollar counts—and knowing where those dollars come from is the first step in making sense of how we use our funds to serve students and staff every day.
As mentioned, our funds come from three main sources—but it’s not an even split. State funding makes up the largest portion at 60%, followed by 36% from local property taxes, and 4% from federal sources. Every dollar matters, and understanding how our budget is built helps us make informed, student-focused decisions
When the Dollars Don’t Add Up
As an individual, you’ve experienced the need to rework your budget based on rising costs. Maybe you’ve had to cut back on groceries or trips to the lake/added a part-time job just to make your dollars stretch as inflation increases. We are trying to make sense of it in GISD as well.
With 60% of our funding coming from the State of Texas, the decisions made by lawmakers each session directly impact how well we can support our students and staff. In the most recent legislative session, the state increased per student funding by only $55 which was the first increase since 2019. These additional dollars are a start after six years of no increases, but fall significantly short of the dollars needed to keep up with rising costs. Texas ranks 38th in per pupil funding.