Clear Creek ISD is launching a new public outreach campaign to start gaining feedback on a couple of potential funding requests that would require voter approval.

The overview

Titled “The Power of Pennies,” the campaign will provide information on the district’s potential bond and voter-approved tax rate election, also known as a VATRE. It will feature several hearings and meetings, as well as a phone survey.

According to district documents, the dates of those meetings are:
  • July 18 meeting at Clear Springs High School
  • July 20 meeting at Clear Brook High School
  • July 27 at Clear Lake High School
  • Phone survey from July 23-30
  • Aug. 1 at Clear Falls High School
  • Virtual session Aug. 3
  • Input board work session Aug. 5
The campaign’s name comes from the “golden pennies” used in school financing, which each give the district millions of dollars in revenue.

The background




Like many school districts across the state, CCISD is facing a potential budget shortfall this year and plans to communicate to the public the financial struggles they face going forward, officials said at a July 10 workshop.

District officials have discussed calling a VATRE to help plug up the gaps in this year’s proposed budget.

The VATRE being discussed could bring an additional $17.4 million and be the difference between a $5 million surplus and a $12.4 million shortfall, according to district documents.

The other half of the pitch is for a $600 million bond to help upgrade the district’s various infrastructure and facilities. Officials are kicking around three potential options for the bond that could see it split into multiple votes.




Both the VATRE and the bond could be called in August.