Mansfield ISD’s 2017-18 school year budget was unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees at the June 27 regular board meeting.

The balanced budget includes a 2 percent raise to MISD employees at the pay grade midpoint to remain competitive.

It also features an expansion of the district’s orchestra program to sixth-graders, 16 growth positions and six contingency positions, and a fund balance that includes three months’ worth of operating funds.

“MISD is a financially conservative school district. We have had balanced budgets in the past and are happy to present one again this year,” said School Board President Raul Gonzalez. “With this being said, the school funding system has been broken for years. Most people do not know that the rapidly increasing property values do not also translate into additional funds for our districts. I urge all of you to contact our legislators regarding this issue and demand that it be repaired.”

The 2017-18 general operating budget totals $286.4 million. Debt service is $55.9 million. The budget for student nutrition, which is not funded through local tax dollars, was also approved for $18.2 million with no increase in student meal prices.

The tax rate is scheduled to go for approval at the regular board meeting on August 29.

View more information about the 2017-18 budget here.