What is the West ISD Proposition?

 

Following the Public Hearing on Monday, August 22, 2022, during the Special Called Board Meeting, the West Independent School District (ISD) Board of Trustees called for a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) to be held on the Joint General Election Day on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. On the General Election Ballot, the state has titled the VATRE as the "West Independent School District Proposition" under the "Special Election" header.

 

The West ISD Proposition is required by the state to approve a tax rate increase that generates additional revenue for Texas public schools. Over 600 school districts across Texas have approved a similar proposition, including Connally ISD, Crawford ISD, La Vega ISD, Lorena ISD, and Robinson ISD. China Spring ISD has also called a VATRE for this November.

 

West ISD Trustees and staff researched the benefits of calling a Special Election Proposition with an additional 3¢ as a way to increase the salaries for all West ISD teachers and staff. The 3¢ would bring an additional $541,087.43 in state funding through the Maintenance & Operations (M&O) portion of the District's Tax Rate to West ISD as part of the current local property tax effort that taxpayers are already contributing to the state. The state stipulates that the District cannot access these 3¢ without taxpayer approval.

 

 

If the West ISD taxpayers vote "For" the West ISD Proposition, this decrease in the Tax Rate presents a unique opportunity to help West ISD access and secure additional local revenue in order to attract and retain the highest quality teachers and staff possible. The salaries for all West ISD teachers and staff would increase $2,500.00 as well.

 

Each year, West ISD loses quality and experienced teachers and staff to competing school districts in central Texas that pay higher salaries and offer greater compensation packages. In addition, West ISD risks missing out on possible new hires who would have to take a pay cut to move to West. The West ISD Proposition provides the means for West ISD to both attract and retain quality teachers and staff across all West ISD campuses. Recently, West ISD received for the first-time ever an A letter grade rating from the Texas Education Agency, and this additional funding for salaries would go a long way to ensure we stay at the A status. 

 

 

West ISD has scheduled several Community Forums and Information Meetings and Presentations for different weeks, days of the week, times, and method of delivery (face-to-face and Zoom). David Truitt, Superintendent, and JoAnna Macik, Director of Business and Finance, will both present and answer questions at the events and meetings listed below. Here is the current schedule: