In Texas, public school funding can be quite complex, with various mechanisms in place to ensure that districts have the necessary resources to provide quality education. One such mechanism is the Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE), which plays a crucial role in determining how much local property tax revenue is available for school districts.
What is a VATRE?
A Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) is a special election that allows school districts in Texas to seek voter approval to increase their Maintenance and Operations (M&O) tax rate above the state-mandated threshold. The M&O tax rate is part of the overall property tax rate and is used primarily for the day-to-day operations of schools, including salaries, utilities, and supplies.
Under Texas law, if a school district wants to set its M&O tax rate above a certain amount, it must obtain approval from the voters in the form of a VATRE. This process is vital because it ensures that any increase in local property taxes, which directly affects homeowners and businesses, is supported by the community.
Why a VATRE?
For Victoria ISD, the purpose of the VATRE is to provide additional funding for the school district to offer pay increases to teachers and staff with the largest percentage of funds used to increase the teacher salary schedule for up to $7,000 for teachers with five or more years of experience. Classified and paraprofessional staff would receive a $2 per hour pay raise within their pay grade.
VATRE and Teacher Pay
Teacher compensation is a critical issue in Texas and across the United States. With the rising cost of living and increased responsibilities placed on educators, many districts find it challenging to offer competitive salaries. This challenge is exacerbated in Texas, where the funding formula often does not fully account for local variations in costs or the specific needs of districts.
A VATRE provides a pathway for districts to directly address teacher pay. By approving a VATRE, voters may allow their school district to raise additional revenue specifically for purposes such as increasing teacher salaries. This increase in funding can be instrumental in:
Attracting Qualified Educators
Competitive salaries help attract highly qualified teachers, which can directly impact the quality of education.
Retaining Experienced Staff
Higher pay can also help retain experienced teachers who might otherwise leave for better-paying opportunities in other districts or states.
Reducing Turnover
By improving compensation, districts can reduce teacher turnover, leading to more stable and consistent learning environments for students.
How Does a VATRE Work?
The process for a VATRE involves several steps. First, the school district’s board of trustees proposes a new M&O tax rate that exceeds the state threshold. This proposal is often developed in response to budgetary needs identified by the district.
Before calling for a VATRE, the district must hold a public hearing to explain the need for the increased tax rate and how the additional revenue will be used. The proposed tax rate increase is then put to a vote. For the VATRE to pass, a majority of voters must approve the increase. The item to be voted on will be on the November 5th ballot.
If the VATRE is approved by voters, the district can implement the new tax rate and allocate the additional funds as planned.
Recent Trends and VATRE Outcomes
In recent years, many Texas school districts have successfully passed VATREs with a specific focus on increasing teacher salaries. These elections have highlighted the strong community support for investing in education and the recognition of the importance of well-compensated educators in fostering student success.
However, the success of a VATRE is not guaranteed. It requires effective communication from the school district to the community, explaining why the additional revenue is necessary and how it will be used. Transparency and accountability are key factors in gaining voter trust and approval.
The District is holding several community meetings for members of the public to learn factual information about the VATRE and it’s impact on the district and the community, visit www.visd.net/vatre to learn more.
Randy Meyer is the Deputy Superintendent and currently serving as the Interim Superintendent for Victoria ISD.