The Boerne ISD tax rate is officially approved following the canvassing of the Nov. 4 election results, which showed voter support for the district to use its remaining golden pennies—a funding mechanism the district can use to generate revenue not subject to state recapture.

The overview

According to a Nov. 5 news release, Boerne ISD’s voter-approval tax rate election will yield $3 million in local funding and require the state to kick in 60 cents for every dollar.

Over 80% of the total $4.8 million has been earmarked to increase staff salaries, including:

• Restructuring the pay of teachers, nurses and counselors
• Raising the minimum wage of auxiliary workers to $15 per hour and paraprofessional staff to $16 per hour
• Raising the minimum teacher starting pay from $55,142 to $60,000
• Creating special education stipends to retain special education teachers
• $500,000 additional contributions to employee health care premiums

The remaining 20% was budgeted to support program growth and facility needs. Superintendent Kristin Craft told Community Impact the district must work to ensure all the information is updated properly to bring employees up to the new scale, but staff can expect to see back pay in December.

“More than 1,400 employees will see an immediate impact,” she said.

What they’re saying

During the Nov. 17 board meeting, trustees recognized the efforts of the community and staff who worked to inform voters about the VATRE, marking a milestone for the district.

Multiple staff members spoke during public comments, showing appreciation for the VATRE approval.

Sami Gillette, principal of Cibolo Creek Elementary, said she believes the increased pay will help the district hire and maintain staff. Gillette said during the interview process, candidates often accept positions at districts with higher pay, leading to challenges in recruiting additional staff.

“I know that an increase in pay will make our jobs more attractive and easier to hire and maintain top candidates here in Boerne,” she said.

Trustee Courtney Darter-Bruce said she and other trustees want to continue finding ways to best support staff in the future.

“This is just the beginning of efforts to show the care and concern we have for our staff,” she said.

Looking ahead

The golden penny approval is permanent, meaning the revenue will be generated in each budget moving forward, Craft said.

While the tax rate is classified as an increase, the Nov. 4 voter approval of the increase to the homestead exemption will reduce the average taxes paid by residents.

For residents ages 65 or older, this rate is further reduced under the homestead exemption and the property tax freeze.

For fiscal year 2025-26, the average taxable value on BISD residential properties is $488,000, and a property owner would pay $4,938 annually. Compared to FY 2024-25, the new tax rate would result in an average decrease of $80 in overall taxes paid.