The gist
CCISD in August called both a VATRE and two bonds. The VATRE was to help the district shore up a $17.4 million shortfall in its fiscal year 2023-24 budget, while the bonds, totaling $302 million, will go toward a variety of upgrades, including:
- Flooring, lighting and other campus renovations
- Upgraded technology
- Security upgrades in the form of cameras and secured vestibules
- Infrastructure improvements
- Proposition A, which was for the VATRE, was approved with 19,173 votes in favor, or 59.25% of the vote, to 13,184 votes against, or 40.75% of the vote.
- Proposition B, which was for a $265 million bond, was approved with 18,063 votes in favor, or 55.49% of the vote, and 14,487 votes against, or 44.51% of the vote.
- Proposition C, which was for a $32 million bond, was approved with 17,593 votes in favor, or 54.06% of the vote, to 14,952 votes against, or 45.94%.
The district’s new tax rate will sit at $0.9746, which is $0.03 higher than it would have been if the VATRE had failed. The new rate will still be lower than previous years. CCISD has one of the lowest tax rates for school districts in the state.
Both the VATRE and the bonds passing will mean the average property owner will save about $670 on their tax bill from last year due to the state compressing tax rates across Texas.
If the VATRE and bond had failed, a taxpayer with a $350,000 home that saw a 10% increase in value would have saved $750.
Quote of note
“These propositions ensure the district remains a safe place to learn and work, students have access to the programs and technology that allow them to explore their interests, and Clear Creek ISD is able to recruit and retain quality teachers and staff,” Superintendent Karen Engle said in a Nov. 8 news release.
