District overview
Roma Independent School District
How Roma ISD in Starr County is funded, who runs it, and what changed in 2025-26.
How is Roma ISD paid for?
Roma ISD serves about 5,900 students in nine schools along the Rio Grande in Starr County. Most of its money comes from the State of Texas through the school funding formula, which pays more for students who attend each day. Local property taxes cover only a small share because property values are low (about $957 million). The 2026-27 general fund plans $87.1 million in revenue: $70.1 million from the state, $8.5 million from local sources and $8.4 million from federal programs. Spending is planned at $91.0 million, with another $2.5 million moved to construction.
State money is the base
About 80% of general fund revenue comes from state sources, which depend on enrollment and daily attendance.
Savings are shrinking
The general fund balance was $34.1 million in September 2025. It is expected to be about $28.4 million at the end of 2025-26 and about $22.0 million after 2026-27.
Fewer students
Officials said attendance came in more than 100 students below projections in 2025-26. The 2026-27 budget lists 5,916 enrolled students and about 5,310 in average daily attendance.
Tax rates
For 2026-27 the operating (M&O) rate is $0.7072 and the debt (I&S) rate is $0.49533 per $100 of value. Debt payments are about $6.9 million a year.
Running a deficit for a few years can be planned when a district has large savings. Roma ISD still expects about $22 million in reserves, and in July 2026 officials said layoffs were not close. The September 2026 hiring and budget freezes show the board is trying to slow the drawdown.
Where the district stands
Major projects
Gladiator Stadium locker rooms, concessions, restrooms and elevator
in progressWorkers are replacing old restrooms and concession buildings with new locker rooms, concessions, restrooms and an elevator, plus ADA ramps and drainage.
- Construction begins
- About 75% complete; 25 delay days
- Restrooms and concessions open for first home game
Funding
Bond and construction fund
Bond facility projects
partly completeGignac Architects reported a softball field house finished July 14, 2025 ($1,804,326) and a covered PE facility at F.J. Scott Elementary turned over November 7, 2025 ($2,439,895). A new transportation depot and shop is also being equipped.
- Softball field house complete
- F.J. Scott PE facility turned over
- Board construction update
Funding
May 2023 bond program
House Bill 2 teacher certification plan
approvedThere is a plan to certify 21 uncertified core-subject teachers. The state's deadline was delayed so uncertified teachers may stay in core subjects through 2028-29.
- Plan approved; delay application due March 2
Funding
General fund; partner certification programs
Hiring and budget freeze
in effectFor 2026-27 the district is hiring only for essential positions, and every budget transfer needs board approval. The pay plan was also amended in closed session.
- Budget amendment tabled amid attendance shortfall
- Hiring and budget freeze adopted
Funding
General fund
Recent news
View the news feed →Resources
Practical guides to school phone policies, district budgets, and administrator hiring.
Explore resources →Collected from Roma ISD's official YouTube channel (RomaISDEducation, linked from the district's Board Meeting Videos page): 19 board meeting recordings from October 29, 2025 to October 14, 2026 with auto-generated captions. Budget books and amendments, the student code of conduct, acceptable use policies, board resolutions and November 2026 election filings come from the district's ParentSquare site.
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