The tax rate is a decrease from $1.2798 in FY 2020-21 and $1.37 in fiscal year 2019-20, according to the release, therefore decreasing $0.11 in three years.
“I’m very pleased that we decreased our district tax rate tonight,” Board Vice President Gary Hammons said in the release. “Providing students with an excellent education while exercising fiscal responsibility should always be our goal.”
Trustees also approved working with architectural firm Huckabee for architectural services, the first step toward planning for a bond election in May 2022, according to the release. MISD and the firm Population and Survey Analysts conducted a demographic study of the district in 2020-21, which projects MISD will grow from 9,235 students in the 2021-22 school year to more than 13,000 students in the 2030-31 school year, according to the study.
“Growth isn’t just coming to Montgomery ... it’s already here,” Board President Matt Fuller said in the release. “Since the demographic study was completed this summer, our district has already enrolled more students than we're projected to enroll in the next two academic years. We have an obligation to our community to ensure we equip our staff and facilities with the tools and capacity needed to effectively educate students and serve families.”
Next steps include MISD forming a citizens’ bond advisory committee with parents, staff, and business and community members, and then holding planning meetings to discuss a potential May bond election, according to the release.
Trustees would need to call a bond election no later than Feb. 18 for the May ballot, according to the release, with the advisory committee presenting possible bond projects to the board of trustees in January.
“Over the last several months, we have taken necessary steps to plan for the future of Montgomery ISD by listening, learning, asking questions and gathering important data needs,” Superintendent Heath Morrison said in the release. “Before moving forward with any bond, we will continue to gather all of the necessary information for our voters to make an informed decision, and we will listen to all voices in our community to develop a plan that invests in the future of our growing district.”
