Nine school districts signed a letter opposing the Tarrant Appraisal District’s appraisal plan.
“In their new reappraisal plan approved on August 9, the Tarrant Appraisal District Board of Directors deliberately defunded public schools across the county at a time when Texas public schools are already facing multimillion-dollar deficits because of political posturing at the state level,” the joint letter reads.
“None of this has to happen. Public schools serve as the foundation of a thriving community, and sacrificing public schools sacrifices the community. We call on the Tarrant Appraisal District Board of Directors to reverse course and engage in good-faith dialogue with school districts so children can receive the education they deserve,” the letter continues.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, several school districts in Tarrant County have expressed opposition to the reappraisal plan and budget the Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD) floated last month, citing concerns about their potential effect on local schools.
Last month, Fort Worth ISD trustees formally denounced TAD’s reappraisal plan and proposed 2025 budget by a vote of 7-2. A majority of the taxing entities within the appraisal district must approve the budget before it can go into effect.
“Several taxing entities have expressed concern that a move to make homesteaded residential property owners’ lives easier may adversely impact the entity. We must never lose sight of who we are here to serve and be thoughtful in our decision process,” TAD Board Member Alan Blaylock previously told The Dallas Express, defending TAD’s proposals. “While there is understandable concern from some entities in this moment, I am confident we will work together to mitigate risk to those entities together, both here in Tarrant County and at the state legislature.”
The reforms have also received praise from community members in the past.
“My hat is off to Tarrant County. We went from an appraisal district actively covering up their own corruption and attacking the taxpayer to the appraisal district becoming arguably the most taxpayer-friendly appraisal district in the entire state,” Tarrant County resident and activist Chandler Crouch previously told DX.