About

The Board of Trustees Monday voted to put a tax rate election on the Nov. 5 ballot. 

Why it matters: A tax rate election gives the community the option to vote for increased funding to pay for teacher and staff raises and additional support positions for campuses. 

By the numbers: If approved, Austin ISD would gain an estimated $41M in funding annually. 

• Austin ISD plans to spend about $17.8 million on a compensation plan that includes market adjustments for many teachers and staff members.
• $3.2 million would be spent on additional support directly to campuses. This includes Instructional Coaches, Content Interventionists, Special Education support and Mental Health support. 
• About $20 million would be used to offset current costs and stabilize the budget. 

A homeowner of an average value of $550k in Austin would see a monthly increase of about $34 in Austin ISD property taxes, or roughly $412 per year. 

What they’re saying: “We are the largest provider of public education in Central Texas. Eighty-one percent of the students in Austin come to Austin ISD, and we have a responsibility to educate our students in a way that aligns with our community values,” said Superintendent Segura.

What’s next: Before the November election, the district will look at every aspect of how we do business and identify opportunities to streamline operations to reduce cost and stabilize the budget.

Go deeper… with our tax rate election FAQs

Austin ISD families, staff and community members provided feedback this week on a Voter Approval Tax Rate Election ahead of a possible vote to put the issue on the November 2024 ballot. 

Why it matters: The district is considering calling for a tax rate election to raise funding for Austin ISD’s schools and students in the face of a $78M budget deficit for the 2024–25 school year. 

• This feedback is critical to trustees making an informed decision. 

In case you missed the conversations, here’s what we heard and how we answered:

How much more money would benefit Austin ISD if voters approve a tax rate election?

• Austin ISD would benefit from about an additional $41M if voters were to approve a tax rate election. 

How does Austin ISD plan to use the additional $41M?

• About $17.8 million will be spent on a compensation plan that includes market adjustments for many teachers and staff members. 

• $3.2 million would be spent on additional support directly to campuses. This includes Instructional Coaches, Content Interventionists, Special Education support and Mental Health support. These allocations would be made based on the current enrollment and the student needs of each campus.

• About $20 million would be used to offset current costs to replenish our savings and stabilize the budget.

How will a VATRE affect the average homeowner’s school taxes?

• If approved, a homeowner of an average value home in Austin would see a monthly increase of about $34 in Austin ISD property taxes, or roughly $412 per year. 

What’s next: The board may vote to put the tax rate election on the ballot at its Aug. 15 public hearing.

The public has the opportunity to provide comment at the meeting.

The Board of Trustees met July 23 for an in-depth conversation on long-term budget planning and the possibility of a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election to invest in our teachers and staff. 

Why it matters: Our aim is to assure voters that we’ve considered every opportunity to reduce costs before asking taxpayers for additional funds to continue providing a stellar educational experience for our students. 

The details: District leaders presented a comprehensive list of expenditures that the district is not legally obligated to fund, which means they could be under consideration for future cuts.

• Superintendent Matias Segura emphasized that the list reflects many of the things the district does because they align with the values of Austin ISD — which is why they feels so difficult to consider. 

What they’re saying: “These investments that we’ve made over time are there for a reason,” Segura said. “What we wanted to do was to bring them forward, acknowledge that there is going to be a process, we’re going to have conversations, none of these are proposals, none of these are recommendations, they’re none of those things.”

The big picture: The district will rely on a joint committee to provide insight and ideas for how to reduce the $78 million budget deficit over the next two years:

• Given our current situation, we must plan to cut an additional $48 million from the budget, whether voters approve a tax rate election or not.
• We’ll also develop a plan to make additional cuts, in future years, understanding that the amount we have to cut will depend on the outcome of a potential VATRE and the next legislative session. 

What’s Next: A timeline was created for the long-range budget planning with some key upcoming dates:

• Finalize selection of the committee — July 31
• Board Information Session — Aug. 8
• Special Board Voting meeting and possible call for tax rate election — Aug. 15
• Deadline for board to call for tax rate election — Aug. 19

Go Deeper_…_with our upcoming tax rate election community conversations.