By Chris Townsend
Superintendent Bay City ISD
Dear Bay City Community, my name is Chris Townsend, and I’m honored to serve as your new Superintendent of Schools.
As a third-generation Bay City ISD graduate, this district and community have always held a special place in my heart.
The friendships, encouragement, and education I have received as a student, educator, and a community member have been among the biggest blessings in my life.
It’s hard to believe how quickly time passes.
It feels like just yesterday I was walking the halls of Pierce and Linnie Roberts Elementary, playing football and performing in the band at McAllister and Bay City High School.
I am continually humbled by the way God’s plan unfolds and how He uses us when we are open to His will.
Please know that I am fully committed to working tirelessly on behalf of our students, staff, and the community that helped shape me.
Together, I know we will continue to move Bay City ISD forward with strength, purpose, and unity.
It is an honor to serve in this role as Bay City ISD continues to do amazing things:
Last year’s seniors earned over 3,000 dual credit hours.
25 students graduated with an associate degree.
98% of graduates were college, career, or military ready.
Our students are earning industry-based certifications that fast-track them into the workforce way ahead of their peers.
Our students were awarded approximately $1 million in scholarships.
Our fine arts, academic, and athletic programs are second to none; each making multiple appearances at state level competitions over the years
There simply is no other district in the area or county that provides the level of opportunities that Bay City ISD does…The City of Bay City has every reason to be proud.
But I must speak candidly: Bay City ISD is facing a critical and unprecedented financial crisis.
Despite recent legislation, the reality is sobering.
While we are grateful for much-needed increases to teacher pay from the state, the new law does little to address the rising costs of running our schools, supporting all staff, or fixing the broken school finance system.
Flat state funding since 2019, combined with inflation, school tax rate compression by the state, expired federal COVID funds, declining enrollment state wide, and unfunded mandates have driven us to a financial breaking point.
With the new legislation from the 89th Legislature, the state’s per-student funding (basic allotment) increased by only $55 moving forward - far below the $220 originally proposed and leaving a $1,245 per student shortfall from the $1,300 per student funding needed just to break even.
We’ve already taken serious steps to offset this strain over the past 3 years:
Three-year salary freeze.
Significant staff reductions
Larger class sizes.
Tight restrictions on staff and school board professional development and travel
10% cuts in 2024-2025.
20% cuts for 2025-2026 - just to name a few.
Still, it’s not enough.
This year alone, the Maintenance and Operations portion of our budget experienced a revenue loss of $2.9 million.
Without significant action, our fund balance is projected to reach negative $1.7 million by the end of the 2025–26 school year.
Simply put: We will not have the funds to continue operating.
However, the good news is - there is a path forward:
n Option 1: “Disaster Pennies” Adjustment (One-Time)
Due to damages caused by Hurricane Beryl last year, we qualify for a one-time adjustment to our M&O tax rate—no election needed.
The funding through a disaster penny adoption only lasts a district for one year.
However, this temporary measure provides immediate, guaranteed funding to help keep the district running while we work to stabilize financially and gives us time to engage solutions.
n Option 2: Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) in November 2026
This is a long-term solution that requires voter support.
If approved, it would secure necessary funding for the future.
However, due to the timing of significant district leadership transitions and the risks involved with rushing the process, pursuing a VATRE in this November election isn’t wise.
The truth is, if it fails, the survival of our district as we know it is highly unlikely.
Therefore, the district plans to act now to access the disaster pennies for 25-26.
However, the long-term decision will ultimately rest with you, the voters.
In November 2026, we plan to bring a VATRE to the community for a vote - asking for the support to keep the district funded and operating.
In addition, to remain good stewards of our community we plan to neutralize the impact on taxpayers, by lowering one part of the school tax rate (called Interest & Sinking) to help balance out the increase in the other part (called Maintenance & Operations).
This will actually result in a slight decrease in the overall school tax rate to the tax payer.
In short:
We’ll use the “disaster penny tax adoption” for 2025–26.
Then, in November 2026, we’ll ask you - the voters - for your support in a VATRE to keep our schools operating moving forward.
I have released a video through the district’s social media channels addressing the current financial state of Bay City ISD.
I strongly encourage you to take a moment to watch it in its entirety.
It will take all of us working together - united and focused - to guide our district forward through the challenges we currently face.
Bay City family, this is a defining moment for us - but it is not without hope.
I truly believe God has laid a path before us.
However, we must act with urgency, intention, and remain grounded in His will.
When I accepted this role, I did so fully aware of the financial realities ahead.
But I accepted it with a servant’s heart, out of deep love and gratitude for our community, our students, and our staff.
I am committed to leading with transparency, purpose, and unwavering dedication - and above all, with faith.
Now more than ever, please remember: Blackcat Fight Never Dies.