The Tarrant Appraisal District’s board of directors approved a new budget on Monday, much to the chagrin of several school systems who claim the organization’s reappraisal plan will result in less taxpayer spending on public education in the county.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, multiple school districts have criticized TAD’s reforms, going so far as to formally disapprove of the proposed budget. TAD’s budget must be approved by a majority of taxing entities in Tarrant County, which include school districts, special districts, and cities.
“If we have no new revenue for three years, how are we supposed to educate our kids and pay for inflation, supply costs, labor, the regular maintenance with no new money?” Fort Worth ISD Board of Trustees President Camille Rodriguez had said last month, per KERA News.
September 9 was the last day for taxing entities to register their opposition to the budget. Only nine school districts formally rejected the budget, far fewer than would be necessary to counter TAD, according to the Fort Worth Report.
TAD board members like Rich DeOtte and Gary Losada defended TAD’s reforms.
Losada called a protest letter drafted by the nine school districts “nonsense,” noting that his children are currently attending Arlington ISD.
“The fact that I’d want to defund schools is the most disrespectful charge I’ve had in my life,” Losada had said, per Fort Worth Report.
DeOtte stated that public school systems in the area have received backlash due to their spending and curricula over the years. He praised Tarrant County for leading the nation in working for taxpayers.
“People are acknowledging nationwide what Tarrant County is doing with appraisals, and I’m proud of that,” he said, according to Fort Worth Report.