Pearland ISD board of trustees passed a tax rate of $1.4156 per $100 valuation, the same as the 2017-18 overall tax rate. However, the board voted to pass a tax swap, moving two pennies from the interest and sinking, or I&S, rate to the maintenance and operations, or M&O, rate for 2018-19 only.

This swap will make the M&O rate $1.06 per $100 valuation and the I&S rate $0.3556 per $100 valuation.

The district was able to pass a tax swap without voter approval by law as the district was considering damaged during Hurricane Harvey. After one year, the tax rate will revert back to the 2017-18 rate.

By moving two pennies over to the M&O fund, the school district will collect $5.5 million more from the state this year.

“It is disappointing to see that as our local appraisals and local revenues increase, that our state funding continues to decrease,” Trustee Sean Murphy said. “Until the state Legislature decides that they are going to address this issue, we are going to continue to see more taxes on our citizens.”

The school board also signed a contract with the city of Pearland to provide 10 security resource officers and one sergeant for the school year.

“Our school resource officers are very well in tune with our campuses. It’s a testament to the department and a testament to their passion of wanting our community to be the best,” Trustee Lance Botkin said.