FAQs about Proposition A

If approved, the VATRE (Proposition A on the ballot) would give Mesquite ISD access to approximately $16.4 million in additional revenue. Of that total, $3.7 million would come from local tax dollars, and $12.7 million would come from increased state funding. If voters do not approve Proposition A, the district will not receive the additional local or state funding.

The additional resources will be used to provide increased teacher and staff compensation, safety and security upgrades, and more academic opportunities and choices for students.

This year, most of the new revenue would immediately go toward safety and security enhancements districtwide. The district’s budgeting process has already established salaries for the current school year. Employees can expect significant salary increases beginning with the 2023-23 school year. Ensuring our compensation is competitive with other school districts in our area is a priority, especially with regard to teacher salaries. The next priority for the additional revenue would be more academic programs.

School districts are funded primarily by local property taxes and state aid. However, rising property values do not equate to more money for schools. Instead, when property values increase, the State of Texas reduces the amount of money it sends the district on the Tier I portion of the tax rate. There is no adjustment in the state funding formulas for inflation.

If the VATRE is approved by voters in November, the tax rate will still be lower than last year’s tax rate. In other words, if the homeowners’ appraised value did not increase from 2021 to 2022, they will pay less in school taxes this year, even if the VATRE ballot measure passes. 

Owners of a home valued at $200,000 (with a homestead exemption) would pay approximately $48 per year or $4 per month more than they would pay if the VATRE is not approved by voters. Homeowners who have the disabled residence homestead exemption or over 65 homestead exemption will not see their property taxes increase because state law freezes their taxes as long as they remain in their homes and do not make any major home improvements.

No. Bond money can only be used for facilities and assets, including facility construction and renovation, technology, school buses, equipment and property. Bond funds may not be used for employee compensation or day-to-day operations.

School district property taxes have two components: the Maintenance and Operations tax rate (M&O) and the Interest and Sinking tax rate (I&S). The VATRE would affect the M&O tax rate, which funds teacher and staff compensation and all school district operations. The I&S rate is strictly used to pay off bond debt and cannot be used for anything else.

Mesquite ISD convened a community advisory committee and a committee of employees in August. After learning the proposal’s details, the impact on taxpayers and how the additional funding will be used, both groups recommended that the Board of Trustees consider a VATRE for this fall. 

House Bill 3 (passed by the 86th Texas Legislature) increased state funds to reduce school district tax rates and pay for several mandates. Most of the new money provided through HB 3 was for designated purposes. Little discretionary new money was provided.

If the VATRE ballot proposal does not pass, Mesquite ISD will not have access to additional funding. This will limit the district’s ability to offer competitive salaries to attract and retain teachers. In addition, staffing levels may have to be reduced, safety and security upgrades will be limited, and some instructional opportunities may have to be curtailed, delayed or not offered.

Information regarding Mesquite ISD’s financial management can be found on the Financial Transparency page of the district’s website. 

Yes, and we do. We carefully prioritize our needs each year and look for opportunities to cut costs. Our operating costs per student ($9,784) are approximately 6% less than the state average ($10,406).

How much of the VATRE proceeds will go to administrator salaries? Administrators typically receive the same raises as teachers. Still, funds generated by approval of the VATRE will be prioritized to provide more competitive compensation for teachers, paraprofessionals and auxiliary personnel. Mesquite ISD’s cost per student for administration ($239) is nearly 30% lower than the state average ($335).