Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election

State law requires that school districts seek voter approval to raise their maintenance and operations tax rate above a prescribed amount. The election is referred to as a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE).

The district’s tax rate is made up of two components: (1) maintenance and operations or “M&O” tax rate, and (2) interest and sinking or “I&S” (also known as debt service) tax rate.

The M&O tax rate is used to fund the day-to-day operations of the district, including teacher and staff salaries, utilities, books, electronic devices, student supplies, district insurance, maintenance and custodial supplies, transportation, mental health needs, and other items to educate our students.

The I&S tax rate can only be used to pay the principal and interest payments on bonds sold to construct and furnish district facilities. It cannot be used to fund the district’s operating costs.

Alto ISD has a history of operating efficiently even during hard economic times.  When the tornado ripped through our district in April 2019, school-finance experts guided the Board of Trustees and superintendent with a three-phase plan to rebuild the district both structurally and financially. 

• Settle the insurance lawsuit – court date set for December 2021
• Pass a bond to rebuild – passed by Alto ISD voters in November 2019
• Pass a VATRE – election to be held in November 2021

As a result of the storms and COVID, Alto ISD’s enrollment has seen a decrease and local funding is now capped, which has resulted in a revenue decrease while other costs have increased.

Over 90.7% of the District’s general operations funding comes from school district property taxes and state funds; with the remaining 9.3% from federal funds.

The formula for funding District operations is set by the State and considers both student and district characteristics, including student demographics, district size, and local taxable property values and tax rates.

An increase of $748,027 in funding will go a long way for our district in advancing our Strategic Goals.  Funding will assist us to continue:

Students

• Provide funding to sustain the District’s one-to-one device initiative
• Provide student materials and equipment for every individual student to reduce the risk of spreading infectious diseases
•  Enhance learning opportunities for students in college, career, and technical trades

Staff

• Continue our efforts to recruit, develop, support, and retain our teachers and staff
• Provide a competitive compensation package, including the District’s benefit contributions

Campuses/Departments

• Prevent funding cuts; including reductions to campus budgets or district programs

District-Wide

• Provide additional funds to allow expenditures on maintaining our bus fleet.
•  Provide support for additional expenditures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; including personal protective supplies and equipment, cleaning and sanitation supplies, and other unforeseen costs.
• Prevent possible funding cuts made to the 2021-2023 Biennium due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the state’s economy.

 

If approved, there would be no increase in taxes from last year.  The rate would actually decrease one penny from the previous year.  Any increases would be from an increase in property value.

Property taxes for citizens ages 65 or older, or those who are disabled, are not affected by a tax rate increase.

The November ballot will ask voters to ratify the M&O rate.  The ballot language is set by state law and will not mention that the overall tax rate is decreasing.  The ballot will read as follows:

“Ratifying the ad valorem tax rate of $1.5319 / $100 in the Alto Independent School District for the current year, a rate that will result in an increase of 0.26 percent in maintenance and operations tax revenue for the district for the current year as compared to the preceding year, which is an additional $748,027.”

The deadline to register for the November 2 General Election is Monday, October 4, 2021. Voter registration must be postmarked by Oct. 4.

https://www.votetexas.gov/register-to-vote/you-must-register-by.html

Election day is Tuesday, November 2, 2021. Early voting is October 18 – 29, 2021.

Where can I vote?

Registered Alto ISD / Cherokee County voters may visit any designated polling locations in the county for early voting.

 

Polling Places – Early Voting:

Main Voting Location

Elections Department

138 W 5^th St, Rusk, TX 75785

 

The River Church

595 South Marcus, Alto, TX 75925

 

Jacksonville Public Library

526 E. Commerce, Jacksonville, TX 75766

 

Polling Places - Election Day:

The River Church

595 South Marcus, Alto, TX 75925