MAGNOLIA, Texas — Magnolia ISD trustees voted Monday to hold a voter approval tax rate election (VATRE) on Nov. 5.

What you need to know

The use of a VATRE was previously recommended by Erich Morris, an assistant superintendent for Magnolia ISD. Morris recommended the option during the board’s July 22 budget workshop, as Community Impact previously reported.

Trustees approved an overall tax rate of $0.9895 per $100 of assessment, according to the board’s agenda. If the VATRE passes, this proposed overall tax rate will take effect and would cost a homeowner about $8.21 more per month on a $328,068 home. If the VATRE fails, the tax rate will be $0.9595 per $100 of assessment.

“Here we sit without getting more money from the state, which funds a large portion of our budget. There has been no increase from them, and yet we are expected to perform, excel and exceed with the same amount of money the state has been giving us since 2019,” Magnolia ISD Board President Gary Blizzard said at the meeting.

Dive deeper

According to the district’s website, the VATRE would generate approximately $7.4 million in additional funding, with $3.7 million coming from local funds and $3.7 million from state funds.

If approved, the district will use the additional funds to:

• Increase in teacher salaries based on years of service in the district

• Create a loyalty program that offers teachers, school resource officers, and hourly employees additional one-time salary increases based on their years of service with MISD.

• Grant salary increases to SROs and create these positions at new schools

What happens next?

A public hearing will be held on August 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the Magnolia ISD Event Center at 11659 FM 1488 in Magnolia, Texas. For more information, visit the district’s website. Explanation of VAT.

This article comes from our ABC13 partners at Community Impact Newspapers