Austin Voters Prepare to Decide on Tax Rate Increase to Address School District’s $119 Million Deficit

Austin Voters Face Crucial Tax Rate Decision for Local Schools

Austin, Texas – Residents are heading to the polls to vote on a crucial tax rate increase proposal that could have significant financial implications for the Austin Independent School District (AISD). As the largest public school district in Central Texas, AISD is struggling with a budget deficit of $119 million. The root of this shortfall lies largely in the state’s failure to keep up funding for public schools in line with rising inflation.

Proposition A Explained

On November 5, voters will decide whether to approve Proposition A, which proposes raising the tax rate by 9.1 cents per $100 of a homeowner’s taxable property value. For an average home in the area, valued at approximately $553,493, this increase translates to an additional $412 in school taxes per year.

If approved, the funding generated from this initiative is estimated to bring in about $171 million for the district. The school district plans to retain $41 million of this amount to provide raises to most staff members and to improve resources in areas like special education and mental health. However, a substantial portion, around $130 million, will be sent to the state due to a funding system known as “recapture” or “Robin Hood.” This system redistributes funds from districts with higher property values to those with lower values.

Reactions to Proposition A

Supporters of Proposition A believe that the district urgently needs more revenue to retain teachers and maintain essential services. However, the fact that a significant majority of the funds raised would go to the state has caused some concern among even those who generally support public education.

Cheryl Bradley, a former AISD board member who served from 2002 to 2015, has voiced her opposition to Proposition A. She noted that other school districts in Central Texas, such as Manor ISD and San Marcos CISD, are also holding tax rate elections. Bradley expressed her disappointment over the way the funds would be distributed, saying, “It would be different if we were keeping the three-fourths and the other fourth was going to the state but it’s not. The state is getting the majority of the money. That makes no sense.”

Besides financial concerns, Bradley worries that even with additional funding, academic outcomes for all students may not improve. She highlighted specific challenges faced by African American students in the district, who make up about 6 percent of the student population but are lagging in subjects like math and reading proficiency. “If I don’t see the academics of the Austin Independent School District getting better for every child… why should we put more money into a failing situation?” she questioned.

Budget Cuts and District Challenges

Austin ISD has already made cuts totaling about $30 million from its current budget, primarily at its central administrative office, and is aiming for an additional <$b>90 million in savings over the next three years. Superintendent Matias Segura emphasized that the budget issues are too severe to be fixed by cuts alone. “There isn’t a way to cut your way out of the deficit. We have to rethink how we work,” he stated, adding that the district needs to secure more funding from the state.

During the Board of Trustees meeting where the tax rate election was called, AISD Board Vice President Kevin Foster was the only trustee to vote against it. He raised his own concerns about affordability for residents, especially given the high percentage of revenue that would be subject to recapture. “The Austin community deeply values education and is generally willing to support bonds, support tax rate increases, etc. to support education,” he commented. “At the same time, we are in an affordability crisis.”

The Bigger Picture for Texas Education

Chandra Villanueva, the director of policy and advocacy at Every Texan, noted that AISD’s situation reflects a broader issue faced by many school districts in Texas, many of which are seeking higher tax rates due to low state funding. “There is a limit… districts can only raise their tax rates so much, and if a recapture district is struggling, it indicates that every district in the state is struggling,” she explained.

As early voting is currently underway and runs until November 1, local residents are encouraged to educate themselves on the available information regarding the school district’s financial challenges and the potential consequences of their vote. The outcome on November 5 could shape the future funding and educational quality for students within Austin ISD.