At its meeting on August 25, 2025, the Prosper Independent School District Board of Trustees adopted the 2025-2026 budget, demonstrating a significant investment in its dedicated employees. This budget reaffirms the district's unwavering commitment to developing its staff to lead and inspire growth by prioritizing fair compensation and support for all employees.

Reduced tax rate

In addition to prioritizing its workforce, Prosper ISD also demonstrates its commitment to the community through a reduced tax rate. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the proposed total tax rate is $1.2141, which is lower than the 2024-2025 adopted rate of $1.2552. This reduction reflects the district's commitment to fostering meaningful connections within its expanding community, while responsibly managing finances and maintaining an exceptional educational experience. Furthermore, legislative changes include an increase in the general homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000 and an increase in the exemption for seniors and the disabled from $10,000 to $60,000, which will be decided by voters on November 4, 2025.

Commitment to recruiting and retaining the best staff

The adoption of this budget underscores Prosper ISD's core mission to unite students, families, teachers, staff, and the broader community in the relentless pursuit of excellence. Recognizing that educational excellence requires a collective effort, the district has proactively utilized both state and local funds to provide equitable compensation adjustments for all employees, especially for those staff members whose compensation was not fully addressed by state funding. This strategic approach reflects the district's long-standing dedication to implementing annual pay increases, a practice that has consistently helped Prosper ISD retain top educators in Texas. The Board of Trustees unanimously approved specific compensation adjustments on June 13, 2025.

"Every Prosper employee makes a meaningful impact on our students and their families, and the Board of Trustees recognizes this," stated Dr. Holly Ferguson, Superintendent. "I'm grateful they've approved this competitive compensation plan that acknowledges our staff's dedication. Our team's commitment to excellence sets our district apart as they work tirelessly for our students."

The 2025-2026 compensation plan includes several key adjustments designed to attract and retain high-quality talent:

• Teachers (of record) with 1-2 years of completed experience will receive a $2,500 increase. This investment is funded entirely by Prosper ISD's local funds.

• Teachers (of record) with 3-4 years of completed experience will receive a $2,500 increase, supported by funding from House Bill 2.

• Teachers (of record) with 5 or more years of completed experience will receive a $5,000 increase, also bolstered by House Bill 2 funding.

• The starting teacher salary for Prosper ISD has been set at $62,250.

• The new hire teacher salary scale has been extended from 25 to 30 years, providing enhanced long-term compensation opportunities for educators.

• All other 2025/2026 returning staff, including vital roles such as Counselors, Nurses, Librarians, Non-Teaching Professionals, Paraprofessionals, and Auxiliary staff, will receive a 4% salary increase. Prosper ISD is utilizing local funds to ensure these essential team members are adequately compensated in areas where state funding did not fully meet the need.

Budget Specifics, Including Deficit Budget

The 2025-2026 proposed budget outlines total expenditures of $427,215,623. While the projected revenue for the same period is $397,780,654, this results in an anticipated operational deficit of approximately $29.4 million for the fiscal year. The district's existing fund balance will cover this deficit.

This deficit stems from two primary factors: our commitment to employee raises and the continuous increase in student enrollment. Unlike districts with stable enrollment that can hire all staff at the beginning of the year, Prosper ISD must account for ongoing growth, projecting over 2,000 additional students by year-end. This rapid expansion necessitates reserving funds for additional staff and general district operations throughout the year, as we continuously adjust staffing based on demographic data.

The district acknowledges that while the budget grows by approximately $40 million annually, the fund balance ideally grows by $10-20 million to maintain its relationship to the budget.

How are we managing the deficit budget?

To proactively manage this deficit moving forward, the district is focused on money-wise spending throughout the year. Central office department budgets have already been reduced, and open positions at Central Office are individually evaluated. Additionally, the Superintendent Staff Advisory Council will begin to address ideas for strategic, money-wise spending practices.

A significant portion of the overall budget is dedicated to personnel, with personnel expenses accounting for 80.2% of the total budget, totaling $342,759,056. This substantial allocation includes approximately $46 million earmarked for new employees, staff raises, benefit contribution increases, and additional hourly staffing needs.

Prosper ISD remains steadfast in its dedication to supporting the comprehensive well-being and professional growth of every employee, ensuring they are empowered to lead and inspire growth. The newly adopted budget exemplifies the district's "people first" philosophy, fostering a strong and thriving workforce committed to providing exceptional educational experiences for all students in Prosper ISD.

Prosper ISD celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of our students who competed at the UIL Academic State Meet in May. These remarkable students represented our district at the highest level of competition, showcasing excellence in spelling and vocabulary, as well as theatre and film.

Walnut Grove

5A Spelling and Vocabulary State Bronze Medalist

Lindsay Moffatt and Amy Holdge, Coach

Prosper High School

6A Spelling and Vocabulary State Champion Runner Up Team

Jailyn Appiah, Jissha Adithi Satheesh Kumar, Ayaan Mohammed, Trisha Panicker and Michelle Furr, Coach

Prosper High School

6A State Champion Theatre and Film Team

Cade Johnson, Dhruvi Tank, Karina Morris, Nathan Phillips, Ryan Zreik, Michael James “Trip” Breslin, Ruy Liao, Rocco Spampinato and Michael Logan, Coach

Prosper ISD recognized the incredible achievements of the Prosper High School varsity baseball team, who competed in the UIL 6A State Baseball Tournament this May and proudly brought home a third-place finish.

In addition to their historic playoff run, the team earned numerous accolades this season:

• 10 players will continue their baseball careers at the next level.

• 8 All-District selections, including 4 superlative honors.

• 4 All-State selections.

• 5 Academic All-State honorees
  
  

Luke Billings, Parker Moore, Trevor Ellis, Kaden Robardey, Brody Mattox, Dylan Struwe, A.J. Sanabria, Drew Bergeron, Landon Walker, Carter Norton, Caleb Sandusky, Gustavo Nuñez, Cooper Sullivan, Alex Pavia, Jackson Oppy, Colton Mora, Nick Truong, Grayson Passarelli, Hunter Vincent, Weston Duitsman, Pearson Fouts, Noah Espinosa, Hank Rizzo, Cannon Webb, Christian Huebel, Sam Kerr, Braden Schleifer-Bell, Quinn Kelley, Jesus Léon, Jacob Knott, Braeden Kaminski, Scott Holder (Head Coach), Clay Wilson (Assistant Coach), Brendan Clary (Assistant Coach), Brandon Couch (Assistant Coach) and Ken Mayberry (Voice of the Eagles)

8. B. The administration will provide a report on Bond 2019/Bond 2023 construction projects

A consent agenda shall include items of a routine and/or recurring nature grouped together under one action item. For each item listed as part of a consent agenda, the Board shall be furnished with background material.

The Board approved the Consent Agenda as presented.
9. A. Approve the minutes of prior meetings: July 21, 2025
9. B. Consideration and possible action regarding submission of one general classroom waiver to the Texas Education Agency
9. C. Consideration and possible action regarding the Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (TTESS) certified appraisers for the 2025-2026 school year
9. D. Consideration and possible action regarding Cooperative Purchasing Agreements
9. E. Consideration and possible action regarding update of authorized users for the district’s LOGIC account with Hilltop Securities
9. F. Consideration and possible action regarding update of authorized users for the TexPool Investment Pool
9. G. Consideration and possible action regarding the approval of Apparel, Awards, Promotional Items, and Uniforms Extended Opening Bid
9. H. Consideration and possible action regarding the approval of Local Restaurants, Fast Food, Food Trucks, and Catering Extended Opening Bid
9. I. Consideration and possible action regarding Fine Arts Supplies, Equipment, and Contracted Services Extended Opening Bid
9. J. Consideration and possible action regarding the approval of Events Services & Related Supplies Extended Opening Bid
9. K. Consideration and possible action regarding updates to Board policies

There were not any speakers for public comment.

September 1: School Holiday

September 2: Student Holiday

September 15: School Board Meeting, 7 pm

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Public Comment Form

The Prosper ISD Board of Trustees welcomes public comment at Board meetings. In order to provide an efficient process at the Board meetings, we ask that individuals complete the Public Comment Form and submit it no later than noon on the day of the meeting. The Notice of Meeting/Agenda is posted 72 hours in advance of the Board meeting.

From left, Secretary Tommy Van Wolfe, Kelly Cavender, David Webb, Vice President Dena Dixon, Garrett Linker, President Bill Beavers, and Jorden Dial.