La Joya ISD Board Approves Balanced Budget with 4% Pay Raise for All Employees
The La Joya ISD Board Members approved the 2025–2026 budget during its regular board meeting on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. The newly adopted budget not only closes a $10.4 million deficit but includes more than $55 million in targeted investments and a 4% salary increase for all eligible employees — the district’s first across-the-board raise in three years.
The 2025–2026 budget was developed with careful consideration of enrollment trends, legislative changes, and financial priorities. Along with the pay raise, the approved budget maintains a balanced financial outlook while investing 77.64% of the general fund budget directly into salaries — a strong indicator of the district’s focus on supporting staff and instructional quality.
“This budget is about delivering on our promises to students, staff, and our community,” said Dr. Marcey Sorensen, Superintendent of Schools. “We are proud to present a balanced budget that invests directly in student achievement, quality programming, staff compensation, and student well-being. This sets a strong foundation for the first year of our new District Strategic Plan which will be highly focused on improving outcomes and opportunities for our students.”
The $55.9 million in new investments is aligned to the district’s emerging strategic priorities, including:
- $18.2 million for “Empowered Graduates” supporting high quality instructional materials, professional learning, P-TECH pathways, extended school year opportunities, and college and career readiness.
- $14.1 million for “Thriving Students,” expanding mental health services and multi-tiered systems of support and a focus on special education supports.
- $13.2 million for “Operational Excellence and Financial Stability,” which includes employee compensation increases, stipend adjustments, technology upgrades, safety improvements, and a comprehensive facilities master plan which should be completed by October 2025.
Board President Julian Alvarez III praised the collaborative effort behind the financial plan.
“This is the kind of fiscally responsible leadership our community expects,” Alvarez said. “We are not only balancing the budget but making meaningful investments in our staff, our students, and our future. The 4% pay raise is well-deserved recognition for the hard work our employees do every day and demonstrates the abilities of Dr. Sorensen and her team to put our District on the right track financially.”
The district remains mindful of possible adjustments as legislative decisions continue to evolve. Proposed increases in the state’s basic allotment, Pre-K funding, special education, school safety, and teacher compensation remain under review and could impact final budget allocations. As always, the District will continue to provide transparency and open reporting on adjustments if and when they come to fruition.
“This budget reflects our commitment to long-term financial stability while prioritizing the needs of our students and staff,” said Mirgitt Crespo, Chief of Business and Administrative Services. “We’ve worked hard to position the district to make these investments, and while we are closely monitoring legislative developments, we remain prepared to adjust as needed to ensure our budget stays responsible and responsive.”
In addition to its investments, the approved budget also provides tax relief for residents, with an estimated savings of $50.80 per $100,000 in property value. The district will continue monitoring legislative developments, final enrollment numbers, and certified property values as part of the next steps leading to the adoption of the final tax rate in September.