Round Rock Edition | June 2023

EDUCATION BRIEFS

News from Round Rock ISD

BY BROOKE SJOBERG

HIGHLIGHTS ROUND ROCK ISD In May, work on an expansion of Westwood High School added math classrooms, an art studio, a new band hall, orchestra and choir rooms, and two large dance studios. The $32.28 million project was funded through the 2018 bond. ROUND ROCK ISD As the district heads into its next budget planning cycle for the 2023-24 school year, officials are exploring pay increases for employees. At a May 18 board meeting, district staff presented board members with several options for raises that could be approved with a June budget adoption. Round Rock ISD board of trustees will meet June 20 at 5:30 p.m. 300 Lake Creek Drive, Round Rock 512-464-5000 www.roundrockisd.org MEETINGS WE COVER NUMBER TO KNOW responses gathered in the district’s first survey of student well-being during the spring semester. 21,193 This is the number of student

First tax rate election in district history on horizon ROUND ROCK ISD Voters who live in Round Rock ISD’s boundaries may be asked for the first time to approve a tax rate revenue increase in a voter-approved tax rate election, or VATRE. During a May 18 meeting, the IMPACT TO HOMEOWNERS Round Rock ISD officials could include a voter approved tax rate election, or VATRE, in a November election that could result in property owners paying 3% more in taxes. 2022-23 rate: $1.0626 2023-24 rate with Example home value 2022-23 taxes due 2023-24 rate no VATRE taxes due 2023-24 rate with VATRE taxes due

no VATRE: $0.9764 2023-24 rate with passed VATRE: $1.0064

RRISD board of trustees discussed the district-staff-proposed VATRE, which could result in property owners paying 3% more in taxes for fiscal year 2023-24. Maritza Gallaga, RRISD’s interim chief of public affairs and communi- cations, said the district has no record of a prior tax rate election, which is the mechanism by which Texas school districts can levy a higher tax rate to generate more property tax revenue. The district levied a tax rate of $1.0626 for fiscal year 2022-23, and if passed, the VATRE will levy a tax rate of $1.0064. While technically a lower rate than the previous year, it is expected to generate more revenue as taxable property values rise within the district.

10% increase from $350,000 to $385,000 in 2023

$3,719 $3,759 $3,875

SOURCE: ROUND ROCK ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

The proposition would set aside an extra $0.03 of tax revenue, bringing the total to $0.08 per $100 of prop- erty valuation that would not be subject to recapture, or repayment to the state. District staff said that will result in extra revenue for RRISD. If passed, the tax rate election would help with the district’s ongoing funding problem, as its state recapture payments have increased from $14.8 million for the 2021-22 school year to more than $85 million for 2022-23, district staff said.

RRISD Superintendent Hafedh Azaiez said at the May 18 board meeting that without the added tax revenue, the district will have to make difficult budgetary decisions about staffing, class sizes, electives available to students, and athletic and fine arts programs. Officials have not yet ordered a VATRE, but RRISD Chief Financial Officer Dennis Covington said the first step in the election process would be for the board to adopt its proposed budget June 20.

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