Comal ISD trustees have signed off on a $355.49 million spending plan for the 2026–27 school year, fully aware they just opened the books with nearly a $28 million hole. The board says it is trying to keep classroom funding steady while still pushing ahead on construction and safety work as the fast‑growing district barrels toward another year.
Budget totals and the shortfall
According to Comal ISD, the general fund shows $355,491,816 in expenditures against an estimated $327,500,000 in operating revenue, leaving a $27,991,816 gap. The same packet lists all‑funds expenditures at $474,058,970 with $453,785,000 in estimated revenue, meaning the district will lean on non‑operating sources to cover debt service and child‑nutrition costs. Trustees adopted the budget after a June 25 public hearing and vote.
Where the money is going
Roughly 62% of the adopted general fund is pointed straight at classroom instruction, with district leaders naming academic success, facilities growth, student safety, and college‑and‑career readiness as headline priorities. As reported by Community Impact, trustees also flagged employee recruitment and retention as a top concern. The budget materials spell out other big‑ticket items like maintenance and operations, transportation, and debt service that eat up most of what is left.
Raises and tax timing
In May, the board approved a 3% midpoint salary bump for all district employees after a compensation study recommended moving to midpoint adjustments, according to Comal ISD. District officials say the raise is aimed at improving pay equity and keeping staff in place, even as it adds pressure to an already tight budget.
Trustees plan to adopt the tax rate in August once the Texas Education Agency publishes each district's maximum compressed rate, per TEA guidance. The district's tax information shows a likely combined rate around Comal ISD.
Why it matters
The roughly $28 million gap is not a surprise for district leaders, who have been warning that recent state funding changes - including teacher raises in House Bill 2 and tweaks to hold‑harmless rules - could leave fast‑growing districts like Comal squeezed. The San Antonio Report quoted Superintendent John Chapman saying trustees will face "very, very, very difficult conversations" this fall if revenues do not pick up.
In practical terms, that means parents, staff, and taxpayers should expect more budget scrutiny and potential amendments once TEA's August guidance lands and final property valuations are in.
What to watch next
All eyes now move to August, when the board is set to vote on the tax rate. After that, any budget tweaks this fall will likely reflect new state guidance and certified valuations. Residents who want to dive into the line items can find budget documents and meeting notices on the district's financial transparency pages.
