Voters decide on property tax increase
The Austin ISD Board of Directors has approved a possible property tax increase for the November vote. The increase would help reduce the district’s budget deficit.
AUSTIN, Texas – The Austin ISD Board of Directors has approved a possible property tax increase for the November vote. The increase would help reduce the district’s budget deficit.
The board voted 8 to 1. The Voter Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) calls for an increase in the tax rate of 8.3%.
For the average homeowner, the increase is about a dollar a day, or about $400 a year. If passed, it would generate about $171 million, but because of the state recapture, the county would receive about $41 million.
The majority of trustees say this is necessary to support the district.
“Last year, the Texas State Legislature passed a state budget that left a billion-dollar surplus and did not provide enough additional funding for Texas public schools, our students and our teachers to cover rising costs and new state mandates,” said Arati Singh, AISD board president.
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The only no vote came from trustee Kevin Foster, who believes the state should invest more in public education.
“For every dollar we give the state, the state is essentially reducing its own investment in public education,” he said. “We are in an abusive relationship with the state. In an abusive relationship, at some point you have to say no.”
“To me, this is currently the only way to increase the district’s revenue in the foreseeable future,” said Trustee David Kauffman.
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If the plan is not approved, the committee says it could face cuts of another $20 million.
“If voters approve, this expenditure will allow us to provide funding to fill positions that directly support instruction,” said AISD Superintendent Matias Segura.
VATRE would reduce the current deficit to $78 million.
VATRE brings in about $550 per student.
The board states that it is committed to saving two dollars for every dollar it earns.
“Do we trust the voters of Austin to say, ‘Yes, our kids are worth a dollar a day?’ I think so,” said Karen Reyes, a special education teacher at Galindo Elementary.
“Please do this now because we need it now. But then come to me and fight with me. Make sure (the state) gives us the money our children deserve,” said Margarita Acuna Mintzer, mother of an AISD children’s village.
