Tioga ISD has been making consistent progress toward correcting its financial issues, which was recognized by the Texas Education Agency in the form of a one-year abatement of the revocation of its accreditation.
The district has worked to reduce costs enough to end the fiscal year in a surplus for several years with a plan to do the same in the 2026-27 school year to continue righting the financial boat.
“We need to receive an acceptable rating for both the 2026 financial and academic accountability ratings,” Superintendent Josh Ballinger said in a letter to the community. “These will both be released this coming August.”
He also touched on the continued relationship with Dr. Karen Wiesman, the Texas Education Agency conservator for the district.
“Dr. Wiesman now has full authority over the district and anything permitted under Texas law,” Ballinger wrote. “We will continue to work in conjunction with her to ensure our students receive the best possible education.”
The district has worked with Wiesman and the district auditor to improve its financial outlook.
“Our FIRST rating will be close for 2026, but it should be passing with the extra efforts that have been made by our contracted CPA/ audit director over the last few weeks,” Ballinger wrote in April.
Ballinger made it clear in the letter and in public comments that the reprieve on accreditation came because of the work of the staff and the engagement of the community.
“The successful performance of our students academically requires many extra efforts from our staff, no matter their department or role,” he wrote. “The bottom line here is obviously ‘extra effort’ typically pays off in the end and we should be able to meet the agreed terms of the abatement order.”
Ballinger explained at the May school board meeting that TISD is “headed down a good surplus budget track again.”
The need for the abatement was announced on Feb. 12, when the TEA said it would revoke Tioga ISD’s accreditation because of its five failures on the FIRST rating.
It was Tioga’s strength in academics and extracurriculars, in addition to the work done to correct the debt the district owes, that was its saving grace, Ballinger said.
“[Morath] came in and was very positive from the beginning with our academics, which we’ve said all along is what’s going to save us here,” Ballinger said in March. “That very much is true.”
The abatement means that the district can operate as usual.
In June, the district adopted the new Fiscal Year 2027 budget.
“This will be the fourth year now, having to end as close to a million- dollar surplus as we can,” he said. “That has to include our general operating be somewhere in that $800,000 range in order to cross that million mark with debt service included.”
The revenues show about $10.8 million with the expenses coming in around $10 million for the general fund.
“We would love to take that nearly million dollars that we’re adopting a budget in the surplus and add it back to staff, add it back to programs, add it back to facilities,” Ballinger said. “We’re just not in that position right now.”
