Protecting What Matters Most

Dear Eagle Community,

One of the things that makes Decatur ISD truly special is how much this community cares about its schools. Whether it’s cheering on our students, volunteering in classrooms, or showing up to support teachers, your involvement is the heartbeat of our district. That shared pride is what keeps Decatur strong—and it’s exactly what we’ll need as we plan for the future together.

Let’s be honest: Decatur ISD is at a financial crossroads.

Our schools are filled with passionate teachers, hardworking students, and a community that shows up big. But behind the scenes, the financial picture is becoming harder to ignore. If enrollment doesn’t increase and we don’t get ahead of mounting maintenance costs, the way we operate simply isn’t sustainable.

Every year, it seems more of our budget goes toward repairing old HVAC systems and roofs, replacing or maintaining outdated technology, and keeping buses running well past their prime. Many of these systems are 10-20 years old—long overdue for replacement. We’ve put life-cycle replacement plans in place, but there isn't enough room in the budget to replace all of these items, so we have had to prioritize some while others remain unaddressed.

Adding to that challenge is the reality that approximately 80% of our operating budget is people—teachers, support staff, and those who make learning happen every day. That means every dollar we spend repairing aging equipment or replacing technology is a dollar that can’t go toward salaries or classrooms. In North Texas, many of us have read the news and social media reports of districts that are increasing class sizes and cutting employees due to the state of their finances. We do not want to be in that position. Ensuring we have small class sizes, which contributes to academic success, is important.

Decatur ISD covers approximately 210 square miles, transporting students from every corner of the district. Currently, 35 of our 37 buses are from 2017 or earlier, and each bus has a life expectancy of about 12 years. By 2026, most of our fleet will enter a “high-cost phase” for repairs—meaning engine replacements, refurbishments, or significant maintenance. With new buses costing around $150,000 each, replacing 35 buses would total roughly $5 million.

Without additional financing, making those replacements would deplete our fund balance to unsustainable levels, directly impacting our ability to pay staff and maintain programs. Purchasing buses from the General Fund removes the very dollars that support teachers, classrooms, and daily operations.

Our buildings, while outwardly well maintained, are also showing their age beneath the surface. Building systems throughout the district are past or near their expected useful life. Systems include HVAC, plumbing, roofs, electrical, technology infrastructure, etc.

• Rann Elementary has a half-functioning boiler that must be replaced at an estimated $75,000.

• Carson Elementary faces immediate roof repairs costing around $100,000.

• Decatur Middle School needs HVAC unit replacements totaling $330,000, plus an $80,000 compressor.

• Decatur High School requires two new chillers at $700,000 each and two new cooling towers at $250,000 each.
  
• Across campuses, additional needs include concrete and roof repairs, food freezers, and boiler replacements.
  

We estimate a short-term need of approximately $2.5 million just to address current building systems needs.

The district’s last large student device purchase was made five years ago, and many of those units are now at the end of their lifespan. A new replacement cycle is projected to cost around $5 million. Additionally, we face technology infrastructure costs—servers, switches, security systems, and Wi-Fi upgrades—totaling over $1.5 million, plus about $180,000 for lab replacements across campuses.

Technology evolves faster than buses or boilers, and as more instructional materials move online, ensuring students have reliable access is essential—not optional.

Compounding these challenges is the state’s school funding structure. Texas’ school finance formula was never designed to fund new buildings or large-scale facility projects. Those are typically addressed through voter-approved bond programs. Of course, some maintenance—like maintaining HVAC systems, roofs, buses, and technology— can be funded from our Maintenance & Operations (M&O) budget. Our M&O budget is used to maintain and extend the life of these items and for limited replacement. However, because of the scale and cost of these items, M&O dollars alone can’t sustain all of these needs without directly impacting classrooms and salaries.

As of 2026, Decatur ISD anticipates having about $6 million in reserves. While that provides a cushion for emergencies, a few unexpected HVAC or roof failures could quickly consume those reserves, leaving little flexibility to maintain day-to-day operations or respond to unforeseen needs.

Through all of this, our priority remains clear: people over programs. When faced with difficult financial choices, we will protect teachers, staff, and students first. We’ll prioritize classroom instruction and learning experiences over nonessential programs or extras. But to do that, we must face our financial reality head-on.

We know trust must be earned, not expected. Rebuilding that trust means being transparent about our needs and responsible in how we plan for the future. We owe our community open communication, sound decision-making, and action that reflects our shared values.

The truth is simple: time is not on our side. The longer we delay, the fewer options we’ll have before delaying large capital repairs and new buses catches up with the available funds we do have and begins to affect classroom operations.

Every decision moving forward will be guided by our strategic plan and a single question: What is best for kids?

Decatur ISD has reached a point where large-scale solutions—like a future bond package—must be considered to address critical infrastructure, transportation, and technology needs while protecting our people. Bonds are the funding mechanism Texas provides for long-term facility and capital improvements, and they are essential if we want to maintain safe, efficient, and modern learning environments without compromising teacher salaries or student programs.

I’m asking for your partnership and your trust as we navigate these challenges. I hope that you can have our assurance that we will bring our community a realistic, reasonable and affordable solution to maintain our facilities and support our student learning opportunities. Together, we can ensure that Decatur ISD remains strong—not just for today’s students, but for generations to come.

Help me in this goal by staying informed and getting involved:

• Serve on our upcoming bond planning committee (details here)

• Read our recent community report card and regular emails to learn about DISD needs
  

• Attend board meetings or watch the YouTube livestreams or recordings
  

When our community and our schools move forward together, we create stability, protect what matters most, and secure a future where every child in Decatur ISD can thrive.

With gratitude,
Taylor Williams, Superintendent