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Business and Finance Department

The Business and Finance Department is responsible for managing Shallowater ISD’s budget and investments. Financial Services deals with the daily transactions of the district including banking, accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial reporting, budgeting, and federal and state grant administration.

Financial Transparency

At Shallowater ISD, we are dedicated to financial transparency and responsible stewardship of our resources. Every dollar is invested with a focus on student growth and success, ensuring our schools provide high-quality education and opportunities for all learners. Through clear reporting and strategic planning, we prioritize both fiscal responsibility and the needs of our students, staff, and community.

 

A table showing the 2024-2025 property tax rate breakdown, with categories for Maintenance & Operations (M&O), Interest & Sinking (I&S), and a total tax rate.

Property Tax Rate History

Shallowater ISD’s tax rate has continued to decline over the past seven years. While the Interest & Sinking (I&S) rate has increased slightly in recent years to support district improvements, the Maintenance & Operations (M&O) rate has steadily decreased, reflecting the district’s commitment to financial efficiency while maintaining high-quality education.
 

A bar chart showing the history of property tax rates for Shallowater ISD from 2018 to 2024, broken down into I&S and M&O rates.

SISD Budget Breakdown

Shallowater ISD's general fund, is primarily allocated to instruction, making up 53.3% of the budget. Additional significant expenditures include maintenance and operations, campus administration, and co-curricular activities, ensuring students receive quality education in a well-maintained and supportive environment. The remaining funds are distributed across student support services, security, transportation, and other essential operational needs.

A pie chart showing the 2024-2025 SISD budget breakdown, with the largest portion allocated to Instruction (55.1%).

Understanding the District’s Tax Rate

A school district’s budget is generated from three sources: federal, state, and local funding. Local funding from property taxes makes up the largest source for school districts.

A school district’s total tax rate is made up of two parts: Maintenance and Operations (M&O) rate and Interest and Sinking (I&S) rate. Each has a designated purpose and budget.

  • The M&O budget is used for the daily operations of the district: utilities, salaries, supplies, and fuel.
  • The I&S budget is used to repay debt for capital improvements through voter-approved bonds: new construction, renovations, HVAC and roofing replacements, and land purchases.

Bond elections only affect the I&S tax rate. Proceeds from a bond CANNOT be used as part of the M&O budget or to increase salaries.

A Balancing Act: State Share vs. Local Share

The Foundation School Program (FSP) establishes how much state funding school districts are entitled to receive. Formulas are set in statute (Chapters 46 and 48), and they consider both student and district characteristics including the number and type of students enrolled, district size and geographic factors, and local taxable property values and tax rates. Generally, once entitlements are established, the formulas are used to determine how much a district can generate locally (local share) through property taxes before making up the difference with state funds (state share). 

A balanced scale shows how local tax revenue increases while state share decreases, resulting in consistent funding per student.

A stylized person reading a book with the text '23-24' and '$10,544.43 per pupil'.

This graphic represents Shallowater ISD’s per-pupil spending for the 2023-24 school year. The $10,544.43 figure is calculated by dividing the district’s total tax revenue, state funds, and federal funds—$18,189,137—by our enrollment count of 1,725 students. This amount reflects the local, state, and federal funding used to support student learning, programs, and services across the district.

This graphic represents Shallowater ISD’s per-pupil spending for the 2023-24 school year. The $11,740.32 figure is calculated by dividing the district’s total general fund revenue—$20,252,057—by our attendance count of 1,725 students. This amount reflects the local, state, and federal funding used to support student learning, programs, and services across the district.

Meet Our Staff

Marci Polly
Chief Financial Officer
mpolly@shallowaterisd.net

Sherry Oliver
Director of Administration and Programs
soliver@shallowaterisd.net

Marsha Hargrove
Accounts Payable / PEIMS Coordinator
mhargrove@shallowaterisd.net