Pearland ISD is planning to host a couple of informational meetings ahead of the Aug. 21 board vote that could see district officials opt for a voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, in November, according to the district’s website.

What you need to know

Leading up to the district’s Aug. 21 meeting and vote, PISD officials will be answering questions and taking feedback from the public at two separate meetings.

According to the district’s website, those meetings will be:

• 6-7 p.m. on Aug. 8
• 6-7 p.m. on Aug. 17

Both meetings will be at the Virgil Gant Education Support Center at 1928 N. Main St., Pearland, according to the district’s website.

The meetings will also be livestreamed on the district’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/ThePearlandISD/live.

The context

PISD, like many school districts, is staring at a budget shortfall due to a number of factors, including inflation, shrinking enrollment and lack of state action to fund public education.

District officials have proposed a budget with a $13.3 million shortfall, which was approved in June, and have discussed the potential to have a VATRE help make up some of the difference.

A VATRE is triggered if a school district approves a tax rate above the max threshold set by the state.