By the numbers
The VATRE will provide $35 million for the district to afford competitive wages for FBISD teachers.
The tax rate of $0.9492 per $100 is not sufficient for the district to compete for teachers and other district personnel with other districts and industries, officials said.
The board approved the $0.04 tax increase ballot proposal Aug. 21 to provide funds to pay teachers or other staff salaries, such as bus drivers, librarians, nurses and counselors.
Budget explained
Spending priorities defined by the board include the following:
- $2,500 teacher raises
- $2,500 raises for librarians, nurses and counselors
- $5,742 increase in police officer pay
- $1.50-per-hour increase in pay for bus drivers and teacher aides
- $1-per-hour pay increase for auxiliary staff and nonclassroom paraprofessionals’ wages
- 3% midpoint pay increases for principals, district directors and business professionals
- Differentiated teacher step raises every five years of service
- Funding for armed uniformed security at all elementary schools to meet the requirements of House Bill 3
The new FBISD tax rate would rise to $0.9892 and would be allocated as follows:
- $0.7192 for the maintenance and operations fund
- $0.27 for district debt repayment
The $0.9892 tax rate, the all-time low for FBISD, is expected to remain one of the lowest tax rates in the region.
The taxes would be applied as follows:
- An approved VATRE would not increase property taxes for those over age 65 or the disabled unless they have made new improvements to their residence, such as an addition or a pool. Property owners may receive a $100,000 homestead exemption in a property tax reduction if a separate measure on the November ballot is approved.
- The measure will result in an annual savings of $1,149 for owners with an average FBISD home valued at $371,000.
- The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 10.
- Early voting will occur from Oct. 23-Nov. 3.
- Election Day is Nov. 7.
