Denton ISD finished its last fiscal year with $29.6 million more in its main operating fund than it started with, a turnaround from the year before, according to the district's annual audit report going to trustees Tuesday.
The Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the year that ended June 30 shows a total general fund balance of $95.8 million, of which $85.6 million is unassigned. That unassigned money equals 24% of a year's general fund spending, and the full balance equals 26.85%. In the prior year the same fund had shrunk by about $12.3 million.
Auditors with Hankins, Eastup, Deaton, Tonn, Seay & Scarborough issued an unmodified opinion on the district's financial statements, according to the agenda summary. Trustees are scheduled to discuss the report in a workshop and then vote to approve it at their 6 p.m. regular meeting.
Where the money came from
General fund revenue climbed $43.1 million, or 12.79%, the report says. About $16.7 million of that came from property taxes after voters approved a 5-cent increase in the district's maintenance and operations rate in November 2025, and state funding rose $28.6 million, mostly money earmarked for teacher salaries and other set purposes.
Spending in the fund grew $9.2 million, or 2.67%. The report says state-funded raises roughly match that increase and that the district tried to hold other costs flat so the reserve could reach what it calls the "minimally acceptable benchmark" of 25% of annual spending.
Across all its governmental funds, the district's combined balance fell $133.8 million to $857.6 million, driven by construction. Denton ISD spent $390.9 million on building projects last year, including a new high school and several elementary schools, while selling $200 million in bonds. The report also notes that the district saw its first overall enrollment decline in many years in 2025-26, at 33,177 students.
