Residents are sounding the alarm over Northwest ISD’s attempt to increase their taxes.
The district is claiming that programs could be cut if a tax increase is not adopted.
“Northwest ISD has called a VATRE – Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election – to continue offering programs that prepare students for college or the workforce while also retaining and recruiting the best-quality teachers in the area,” reads an August 13 post on the district’s website.
“Northwest ISD adopted a deficit budget of $15.8 million for the 2024-2025 school year to provide staff with a midpoint raise and adequately staff our rapidly growing school district. If approved by voters, a VATRE would generate nearly $16 million for the 2024-2025 school year and additional funding each year as the district continues to experience tremendous enrollment growth. These funds would be used to protect class size ratios, prioritize retaining and adding student programs, and continue to provide teacher and staff raises.” (emphasis in original)
“If a VATRE is approved by voters, the district’s maintenance and operations, or M&O, tax rate would increase by 3 cents. This would represent an average $120 yearly increase on a home that is valued at $500,000. The 2024-2025 M&O tax rate is $0.6669, and if a VATRE is called by trustees and approved by voters, this rate would change to $0.6969.”
Some have criticized the district’s campaign.
“Imagine living in an ISD with close to $2 billion dollars in bond debt and then being asked to support a VATRE to further increase your taxes. NISD can’t figure out how to tighten their belts and find $15.8 million dollars to fund student programs and teacher salaries. NISD regularly uses taxpayer money and ISD staff to create advocacy campaigns to increase taxes,” Ruth Ray posted on Facebook along with a photo of the Northwest ISD VATRE statement.
“Absolutely crazy!” Greg Will posted in a comment on Ray’s post.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, North West ISD approved a nearly $2 billion bond package for facility improvements last year.
During the 2021-2022 school year, some 57% of Northwest ISD students scored at grade level on their STAAR exams. Additionally, roughly 97% of its graduating Class of 2022 earned a diploma in four years. For comparison, only 41% of Dallas ISD students scored at grade level, and nearly 20% of the graduating class that school year graduated on time.