What is a Voter Approved Tax Ratification Election (VATRE)?
Texas school boards are charged with adopted a budget and tax rate each year.
State law requires that school districts seek voter approval to raise their tax rate above a prescribed amount. The election is referred to as a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election, or VATRE.
Anthony ISD's VATRE asks voters to consider a 12-cent increase to the district's maintenance and operations tax rate. In Texas, M&O budgets are used to fund daily operations, such as salaries, student programs and utilities.
Why is Anthony ISD Holding a VATRE?
Anthony ISD, like many other districts across the state, is experiencing a budget shortfall. Since 2019, there has been no increase by lawmakers to the basic allotment for school districts despite historic inflation and the district has seen a decline in student enrollment.
Passage of the VATRE will generate more local and state funds each year. The district will use these funds to balance our budget, address facility and fleet needs, provide student programming and for teacher and staff salaries.