District overview
Avery Independent School District
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
How is Avery ISD paid for?
Avery ISD is a single-campus district of about 300 students in Avery, Red River County, with an elementary and a secondary school on a four-day week. In 2024-25 the general fund took in about $4.35 million: $3.64 million from the state, $685,000 from local property taxes and $25,000 federal. Because state aid is paid on average daily attendance, losing a few families changes the budget. A seven-member elected board sets policy; Jill Mahan is superintendent.
Thin margins
The 2026-27 budget projects about $4.8 million in revenue and $4.7 million in spending, before a cafeteria loss of about $50,000.
Savings drawn down
The district used about $660,000 of savings in 2024-25, leaving $1.185 million in the general fund.
Staff cuts
Positions fell from 67 to 58.5 and teachers from 34 to 26.5 between 2024-25 and 2025-26.
Board
President Terry Burkett, Stacey Ervin, Zack Langford, Margie Larzelere, Kyle Lennon and Heather Berry; one seat open.
Audits are clean, the district had a perfect state financial rating (FIRST) for 2024-25, about 125 days of cash on hand, and an A academic rating (93 in 2026).
Where the district stands
Auditor's figure read aloud on January 22, 2026 ('1.185'); the 2024-25 audit is not posted.
Superintendent said $658,000; auditor rounded to $660,000 (machine transcript).
A rating; five of six distinctions (August 27, 2026 recording).
As read aloud on August 27, 2026; the rate order was not collected.
Major projects
District-wide fire alarm replacement
wiring and devices installed; system being mapped before sign-off (September 2026)Lightning destroyed the main panel in summer 2026. A licensed firefighter stands fire watch on campus daily until the new system works.
- Board approves replacement
- Cost of just under $230,000 reported
Funding
Insurance, less a $10,000 district deductible
Fixing the Avery-Clarksville boundary map
awaiting Clarksville ISD approvalMore than 90 properties are taxed by one district but mapped in the other. Both boards must approve a new line before the county map and voter rolls change.
- Superintendent briefs board
- Special meeting
Funding
No cost stated; county appraisal district updates the map
Recent news
View the news feed →Resources
Practical guides to school phone policies, district budgets, and administrator hiring.
Explore resources →Built from 12 official board meeting recordings (November 2025 to September 2026) in the district's public Google Drive folder, read through machine transcripts, plus 15 required postings, election papers and plans on averyisd.net. Agendas and minutes are posted on BoardBook, which our collector does not use.
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