As one of the fastest growing districts in the state, Northwest ISD is calling for a voter-approval tax rate election this November. District officials say the VATRE is necessary because of lack of action at the state level to update outdated funding formulas.

In a nutshell

The NISD board of trustees unanimously approved to include the VATRE on the ballot this fall during their regular meeting Aug. 13. Should voters pass the 3-cent tax rate increase, approximately $16 million in new funding would, in part, help retain and attract teachers while also preventing cuts to student programs.

District documents state if the VATRE is approved by voters this fall, a $500,000 home in the district would receive an annual property tax increase of $120—or $10 a month. While a portion of existing district funds are subject to the state’s recapture rule, VATRE funds would not be subject to recapture, therefore all of these additional funds would stay in the district.

Zooming in


According to district documents, more than 80% of NISD’s annual M&O budget—the portion used to fund maintenance and operations expenses—goes toward salaries.
District documents state the district has $10 million in additional revenue due to property tax growth. VATRE funds would be added to that revenue in order to provide funding for the following items:
  • $2.9 million - 2023-24 deficit carryover
  • $8.1 million - growth positions
  • $5.8 million - 2% midpoint raise
  • $1.6 million - state safety mandate
  • $1.2 million - Pre-K mandate
  • $1.6 million - operations cost inflation
  • $2.1 million - utilities/software/supplies/fuel
  • $2.5 million - secondary staffing (SPED)
Zooming out

A district news release states Texas state legislators have approved $4 billion in funding increases to Texas schools but have declined to provide it despite the state’s historic $32 billion budget surplus. Numerous districts across the state have adopted budgets with shortfalls. NISD adopted a budget shortfall of $15.8 million for fiscal year 2024-25, while some districts adopted budget shortfalls exceeding $100 million.
Quote of note

"School districts across the state have dealt with financial strains following five years of state inaction on public education funding coupled with 20% inflation,” NISD Superintendent Mark Foust said. “Our school board called a VATRE to raise additional maintenance and operation revenue in an effort to address a $15.8 million budget deficit. This additional revenue would be used to maintain current student programs and class-size ratios as well as provide competitive pay to recruit and retain top quality faculty and staff."

What's next


The news release states voters who live in NISD will have the following opportunities to cast their ballot in the VATRE:
  • Early voting from Oct. 21-Nov. 1
  • Election Day on Nov. 5