Election
BY MARK FADDEN
Northwest ISD calls for tax rate election to fund staff, classes
The Northwest ISD board of trustees unanimously approved a voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, for the upcoming November election during its regular meeting Aug. 13. If voters pass the 3-cent maintenance and operations tax rate increase, the new funding would help retain and attract teachers while preventing cuts to student programs. In a nutshell According to a district news release, the board of trustees called the VATRE due to the effects of “a lack of legislative action to address public educa- tion funding” at the state level, despite significant inflation in recent years. Additional VATRE funds—approximately $16 million—would be used to balance the district budget to protect class size ratios and student programs as well as continue to “provide competitive teacher and staff salaries.” Zooming in The news release states state legislators have
approved $4 billion in funding increases to Texas schools but have declined to provide it despite the state’s $32 billion budget surplus. Districts across the state have adopted budgets with shortfalls. NISD adopted a budget shortfall of $15.8 million for fiscal year 2024-25, while some districts adopted budget shortfalls exceeding $100 million. If approved by voters this fall, a $500,000 home in the district would receive an annual property tax increase of $120—or $10 a month, according to the release. Why it matters According to the release, without additional funding, “Northwest ISD will face the same cir- cumstances neighboring districts have,” such as: • Increasing class sizes • Cutting student programs • Reducing overall staff
Maintenance and operations rates Northwest ISD currently operates at the lowest M&O tax rate possible in the state.
2024-25 ISD M&O rates
$0.8
$0.6
$0.4
$0.2
$0
SOURCE: NORTHWEST ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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