El Paso school districts to receive $147.3M boost from state under new finance bill
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El Paso school districts to receive $147.3M boost from state under new finance bill
The three largest school districts in El Paso are expected to receive $147.3 million in additional state funding over the 2026–2027 biennium. The funding comes through House Bill 2 (HB 2), the legislature’s recently passed school finance package, which provides $8.5 billion in new investments for Texas public schools. Major statewide allocations include $4 billion for raises, $1.2 billion to ease operational costs, and over $830 million to bolster special education. The bill also invests $187 million in teacher preparation and certification, $448 million in early literacy initiatives, and $153 million to expand career and technical education programs.
The funding comes through House Bill 2 (HB 2), the legislature’s recently passed school finance package, which provides $8.5 billion in new investments for Texas public schools.
As we’ve seen here in El Paso, our school districts are confronting difficult realities—declining student enrollment, budget shortfalls, and painful school closures and teacher layoffs,” said Rep. Perez. “This additional funding is badly needed and comes at a critical moment. Our local districts haven’t seen a meaningful increase in basic per-student funding since 2019, even as costs have continued to climb. While I strongly support these new investments, the challenges won’t disappear overnight. Without major shifts in our economic growth and population base, declining enrollment is a long-term trend in El Paso, and our schools will continue to face financial pressure. The future of our region depends on a thriving public school system—and we must continue fighting to ensure it is funded accordingly.
HB 2 includes significant funding to increase teacher and staff compensation, improve special education services, enhance school safety, and strengthen early learning programs.
Major statewide allocations include $4 billion for raises, $1.2 billion to ease operational costs, and over $830 million to bolster special education.
The bill also invests $187 million in teacher preparation and certification, $448 million in early literacy initiatives, and $153 million to expand career and technical education programs.
Locally, El Paso ISD (EPISD), Socorro ISD (SISD), and Ysleta ISD (YISD) will receive a combined $147.3 million in new maintenance and operations revenue.
EPISD is slated to receive $54.6 million over the two-year period
SISD will receive $50.5 million over the two-year period
YISD will receive $42.2 million over the two-year period
EPISD will receive $31 million specifically for compensation increases, SISD will receive $26.7 million, and YISD will receive $23.1 million over the biennium.
Each district will also receive approximately $3 million to support special education evaluations, and millions more through the school safety allotment—$6.6 million for EPISD, $5 million for SISD, and $4.4 million for YISD.
To help offset rising operational costs such as utilities and insurance, the bill provides an additional $10 million to EPISD, $9.7 million to SISD, and $7.1 million to YISD.
Another $1.6 million will be distributed across the three districts to support early literacy interventions.
Read the full chart below:
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