The Manor Independent School District (ISD) Board of Trustees has approved a balanced budget for the 2025–2026 school year, amounting to $148,935,389. This decision was made during their regular meeting on June 16 and represents a nearly 20 percent reduction from the previous year’s budget.
The balanced budget is the result of over two years of financial planning aimed at prioritizing instructional needs while protecting classroom learning. The district’s strategy involved differentiating between essential and non-essential expenses, consolidating programs and positions where feasible, and ensuring that reductions would minimally impact instruction.
“Balancing this year’s budget required tough decisions,” stated Superintendent Dr. Robert Sormani. “But every choice was made with students and classrooms at the forefront.”
Despite the cutbacks, Manor ISD continues to invest in its staff by including funding in the budget to cover individual health insurance premiums for employees. This initiative aims to mitigate rising healthcare costs and support staff well-being.
The current budget is based on existing legislative funding levels. However, if lawmakers approve additional public school funding during their session, Manor ISD plans to amend its budget accordingly in the fall.
Looking forward, Manor ISD intends to focus on strengthening its fund balance—essentially the district’s savings account—as part of its long-term fiscal health strategy.
“While this budget reflects a more constrained financial landscape, it also represents a responsible step forward,” said Board President Ana Cortez. “We’re committed to ensuring that our resources are used in ways that directly benefit students and support our educators.”
