District overview
Mount Vernon Independent School District
How Mount Vernon ISD is paid for, who leads it, and what the board is working on
Why is a district with rising property values running deficits?
Mount Vernon ISD serves about 1,490 students in Franklin County at an elementary, a middle school and a high school, and it runs a four-day week. Local property taxes pay most of the operating budget, and state aid fills in the rest based on attendance. As local values rise, the state lowers ('compresses') the operating tax rate and cuts state aid, so higher values do not bring much new money. Attendance fell to an average of about 1,408 students in 2025-26, below the 1,470 the district budgeted for, and the general fund ran short both that year and the year before. Separately, voters approved a $63.9 million bond in 2023 that is paid with its own debt-service tax.
Budget gap
The 2026-27 budget plans $19.56 million in revenue and $20.52 million in spending, a $963,312 gap.
Reserve near the floor
Leaders estimated the reserve at about 87.5 days of spending, just under the 90 days TEA expects.
Enrollment slipping
Enrollment was 1,492 in October 2026, compared with 1,524 a year earlier. The drop is mostly at the elementary school.
Bills up, rate down
The tax rate falls to $0.86373, but the district's notice says the average homeowner pays about $198 more because home values rose.
The district's FIRST financial rating was 92 (Superior), auditors gave a clean opinion, and the general fund still held $6.77 million at the end of August 2025. Leaders point out that many Texas districts are passing deficit budgets while they wait on the 2027 legislature.
Where the district stands
Major projects
2023 bond construction
in_progressThe $63.9 million bond paid for a middle school addition, an auditorium, a new kitchen and cafeteria, a fine arts building, a storm shelter, an agriculture building and a new administration area and entrance. Most buildings were handed over in August 2026. The front entrance and offices are due by the end of 2026. Contingency and interest money left over is being used for extras such as an $18,000 sewer-line fix and shop outlets.
- Administration moves into renovated offices
- Cafeteria and fine arts handover set for July
- Substantial completion signed for three buildings
- Front entrance punch walk scheduled
Funding
2023 voter-approved bond
Guardian program (armed volunteer staff)
in_progressApproved 5-1 in May 2026 after months of debate. Volunteers must pass DPS school safety training, psychological screening and quarterly shooting qualification. Each guardian must be approved by the board, now by majority vote. The district says guardians will not be publicly identified.
- Draft plan and survey results presented
- Program approved 5-1
- Policy CKE updated (unanimous approval)
- Policy changed to majority approval
Funding
District budget; estimate for 15 guardians including stipends not yet approved
Exterior doors and locks from state safety grant
in_progressThe district must spend its state safety and security grant by summer 2027. It bought exterior doors for $91,263 in August and in October approved up to $255,000 more for doors, locks and hardware that work with card readers and fire alarms.
- First door purchase, $91,263
- Up to $255,000 approved; more quotes pending
Funding
State safety and security grant
Recent news
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Practical guides to school phone policies, district budgets, and administrator hiring.
Explore resources →Built from the district's YouTube recordings of all 15 board meetings from November 2025 to October 2026, plus the budgets, tax-rate notices, 2025 annual financial report, superintendent contract, election notice, calendar, student handbook, investment and tax reports, and architect field reports posted on mtvernonisd.net.
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