Mesquite ISD Prop A
Mesquite ISD VATRE 2026
Proposition A | November 3, 2026
On November 3, Mesquite ISD voters will consider Proposition A, a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE). If approved, Proposition A is projected to generate approximately $16 million in additional operating revenue each year.
The additional funding would support recruiting and retaining educators and staff, student programs and opportunities, and safety and security across the district.
MISD recently balanced its budget by reducing spending by approximately $50 million over the past two years, but based on current district financial projections, MISD is projected to run a deficit beginning in the 2027–28 school year.
Why Is Mesquite ISD Proposing a VATRE?
Inflation
Expanding Requirements
Declining Enrollment
$50 Million Cut Over Two Years
What Would Prop A Fund?
Student Programs
Staff Compensation
Campus Safety
If approved, additional operating revenue provided by Prop A would be used to maintain and expand student access to fine arts, athletics, CTE, and other district programs and services.
- 81% of MISD K–12 students participate in fine arts programs
- 5,000 middle & high school students in MISD participate in athletic programs
- 90% of MISD high school students participate in CTE programs
- Employee Compensation: Prop A revenue would provide all full-time employees with at least a 2% compensation increase while maintaining financial stability.
- Increase substitute coverage
- Five standardized local days for all full-time employees
- Recruitment and retention efforts for hard-to-staff positions across the district
- State law (HB3) requires school districts to meet campus safety and security standards, including requirements for personnel and facilities.
- Proposition A would generate operating revenue to fund district-employed security personnel and other ongoing campus security costs.
-
If approved, additional operating revenue provided by Prop A would be used to maintain and expand student access to fine arts, athletics, CTE, and other district programs and services.
- 81% of MISD K–12 students participate in fine arts programs
- 5,000 middle & high school students in MISD participate in athletic programs
- 90% of MISD high school students participate in CTE programs
-
- Employee Compensation: Prop A revenue would provide all full-time employees with at least a 2% compensation increase while maintaining financial stability.
- Increase substitute coverage
- Five standardized local days for all full-time employees
- Recruitment and retention efforts for hard-to-staff positions across the district
-
- State law (HB3) requires school districts to meet campus safety and security standards, including requirements for personnel and facilities.
- Proposition A would generate operating revenue to fund district-employed security personnel and other ongoing campus security costs.
Tax Impact
How Does Mesquite ISD's Tax Rate Compare?
MISD currently has one of the lowest M&O tax rates in the region.
If Proposition A is approved, the district’s M&O rate would be in line with most neighboring districts.
Note: Rates shown are Maintenance & Operations (M&O) tax rates per $100 of taxable property value.
$16 Million In Revenue
If approved, Proposition A is projected to generate more than $16 million in additional annual operating revenue.
$8.75 per month
The estimated tax impact for the average taxpayer is $8.75 per month, based on a home with a market value of $250,000 and a $140,000 homestead exemption.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESIONS
-
A Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election, or VATRE, is an election required by Texas law when a school district seeks voter approval to increase its Maintenance and Operations (M&O) tax rate to generate additional operating revenue.
-
The estimated tax impact for the average taxpayer is $8.75 per month.
-
If approved, Proposition A is projected to generate approximately $16 million in additional operating revenue annually.
-
The additional operating revenue provided by Proposition A could be for:
- maintaining and expanding student access to fine arts, athletics, CTE, and other district programs and services.
- supporting staffing and services required to serve students receiving special education services.
- personnel and other recurring district operations associated with campus security.
-
MISD recently balanced its budget by reducing spending by approximately $50 million over the past two years, but based on current district financial projections, MISD is projected to run a deficit beginning in the 2027–28 school year.
-
Homeowners 65 and older with the over-65 exemption have their school taxes frozen at a set amount. This election does not change that.
-
Early Voting: October 19 through October 30, 2026
Election Day: November 3, 2026
-
All full-time Mesquite ISD employees would receive at least a 2% compensation increase. We previously used the term “eligible employees,” but for clarity, we will refer to full-time employees moving forward.
-
The Texas Property Tax Code permits property owners who are over 65 and/or disabled to apply for an important exemption that places a ceiling on their school property taxes. If the voters of Mesquite ISD approve Proposition A on the November 2026 ballot, their ceilings will not be impacted.This ceiling only applies to the school property taxes and does not apply to the taxpayer’s city or county taxes. For this reason, Mesquite taxpayers should obtain additional information from the Dallas Central Appraisal District regarding additional exemptions which may apply to their city and county taxes.A taxpayer’s ceiling may be impacted in the event a homeowner increases the value of the home by adding square footage, adding a garage/pool, etc. In these instances, if the home’s value changes/increases, the ceiling may likewise be adjusted upwards. But such an increase would not be the result of Proposition A.