League City residents will get their chance to weigh in on Clear Creek ISD's finances later this month. The district's Board of Trustees voted unanimously July 27 to schedule a public hearing at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, where trustees will discuss and adopt the 2026-27 budget and the proposed 2026 tax rate.
The hearing comes as CCISD faces a projected $23.4 million shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year and weighs whether to call a $19.1 million voter-approved tax rate election, according to Community Impact reporting. The proposed tax rate is unchanged from the previous two years.
Chief Financial Officer Alice Benzaia brought the hearing recommendation to the board at its July 27 regular meeting. The vote was unanimous. All seven trustees approved it: President Jonathan Cottrell, Vice President Jessica Cejka, Secretary Jamieson Mackay, Jay Cunningham, Arturo Sanchez, Jeffrey Larson and Rebecca Lilley.
"We really invite our community to engage in discussions with their state elected officials," trustee Arturo Sanchez said at the July 27 meeting, as reported by Community Impact. "While we all appreciate lower taxes ... we also appreciate an environment where students can learn and thrive."
As we reported July 28, the board also approved a compensation plan at the same meeting that gives classroom teachers a 1% raise at midpoint ($725), paraprofessional and auxiliary staff a 2% increase, all other employees 1% and substitutes an extra $5 per day. Those raises are smaller than the 3% all employees received in 2025-26.
New special programs director
In closed session, the board unanimously appointed Heidi Danner as Director of Special Programs. No additional background on Danner's prior role was provided in the district's board report. The position oversees special education and other specialized services districtwide.
Recognitions
Superintendent Karen Engle recognized two CCISD graduates who have returned to serve the district:
- Shannon Simonds, principal of Clear View, was named 2026 CCISD Secondary Principal of the Year.
- Camia Lowman, a teacher at Clear Springs High School, was named a Region 4 Secondary Teacher of the Year Finalist. Region 4 winners are scheduled to be announced Thursday, Aug. 6.
Other board action
Trustee Jay Cunningham pulled a consent-agenda item to recognize the CCISD Finance Department for achieving 100% tax collection for 2025. The board also approved a resolution authorizing the sale of surplus real property.
The board entered closed session at 7:38 p.m. and returned to open session at 8:57 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m.
The Aug. 24 public hearing begins at 6 p.m. The district has not yet confirmed the location; CCISD board meetings are typically held at the Education Support Center, 2425 E. Main St. in League City.
