China Spring ISD

The China Spring ISD School Board met on Monday, June 23, 2025, at 6:00 pm, with the 2025–26 budget as the primary item on the agenda. During the meeting, Superintendent Dr. Marc Faulkner and the Board engaged in a transparent and thoughtful conversation about the district’s financial future. While public schools across Texas continue to face increasing budget pressures, China Spring ISD remains focused on what matters most: providing a quality educational experience for students. At the close of the meeting, the Board officially approved the 2025–26 budget.

Dr. Faulkner shared how recent decisions at the state level have made it more difficult for local districts to keep pace with the rising costs of day-to-day operations. Although China Spring ISD’s tax rate is down nearly 10 cents from last year, many residents may not notice the change due to increased property values.

“Our tax rate has decreased a considerable amount, but residents might not see a significant change in their tax bill because home values have increased,” said Dr. Faulkner.

In addition to local tax compression, recent changes to the state’s homestead exemption mean homeowners are paying less to school districts. In Texas, when local tax revenue goes down, the state is supposed to step in to make up the difference, but that support doesn’t go as far as needed. “It’s not dollar for dollar,” Dr. Faulkner explained. “So we end up receiving less.”

The approved budget is based on an enrollment projection of 2,969 students and includes a goal of reaching 95.75% attendance. Trustees reviewed a plan built around careful, student-centered budgeting. In fact, nine of the district’s 11 operating functions have been reduced to keep expenses in check.

“To find savings, we look to cut back on anything that doesn’t directly impact our students,” said Dr. Faulkner. “For example, instruction—I try to never reduce that budget because we need resources to support our students’ learning.”

Some costs, however, continue to rise. The district must maintain up-to-date technology to meet state-mandated online testing requirements, and transportation and fuel costs have also increased. Facility maintenance remains one of the largest expenses after salaries.

While the Texas Legislature recently announced $8.5 billion in public education funding, much of that money comes with strict limits on how it can be used. China Spring ISD received $2.4 million, but the majority is already committed to the required teacher raises, special education services, benefits, and retirement contributions.

“When you hear the governor say he’s giving $8.5 billion to public education, we get excited,” Dr. Faulkner said. “But then they specifically script how it is meant to be spent, and it doesn’t equate to districts being able to use it to properly address areas where costs are increasing.”

Despite those constraints, the district continues to plan responsibly and proactively. Every option is being explored to maintain the level of education and opportunity the community expects and the students deserve.

Staff across the district continue to stretch every dollar. Many teachers are working with classroom supply budgets that have not increased since 2018. “They are already doing more with less,” Dr. Faulkner said. “And they do it because they care deeply about our students.”

Looking ahead, the district will continue making financial decisions that protect instruction and student programs whenever possible. But additional funding will be needed to maintain current staffing levels and learning opportunities.

“We will eventually have to limit the opportunities that allow students to be innovative and prepare our graduates to go out in the community and be productive,” Dr. Faulkner said. “But our commitment remains, we’re here to serve students, and every financial decision reflects that.”

Dr. Faulkner emphasized that the district will continue to involve the community in future conversations. He encouraged all community members to join China Spring ISD at upcoming All Community Forums to learn more about the realities and opportunities facing the district.