VATRE FAQs

A Voter-Approval Tax Ratification Election is a special election called by the Board of Trustees that allows voters to decide whether to approve a change in the District’s tax structure. This adjustment increases the District’s maintenance and operations (M&O) revenue, enabling Carroll ISD to keep more local tax dollars in the District. This is also referred to as a school funding vote.

Voters will see “Proposition A” on the November 4 ballot.

Proposition A is the official ballot language for a Voter-Approval Tax Ratification Election (VATRE) - sometimes referred to as a school funding vote.

Carroll ISD is currently experiencing a funding gap:

• CISD ranks near the bottom in state funding out of nearly 1200 school districts in Texas.
• The District projects an approximate $4 million budget deficit for the current school year.
• Approval of the school funding vote will allow CISD to generate up to $4 million annually to help close this gap and fund the District's programs and staff.

Carroll ISD’s Proposition A election will address aspects of school funding not addressed by the Legislature:

• The basic per-student funding (known as the Basic Allotment) has increased by just 0.008% since 2019, despite rising inflation and operational costs.

• Teacher raises were included in this session, but many staff members are not eligible for the state-funded increases.

While the ballot will say “THIS IS A TAX INCREASE” the total tax rate with the VATRE would still be more than 3 cents lower than the 2024-25 tax rate - from $0.9617 down to $0.9294.

Please note:
The form of the Proposition language is required by statute. During its 89th Regular Session, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 1025, which requires “THIS IS A TAX INCREASE” to be included at the top of a proposition for “the imposition or increase of a tax.”

To explore the impact the VATRE may have on your property taxes, please visit southlakecarroll.edu/VATRE and scroll down to use the Tax Calculator.

Please note that while your total tax rate is now lower than last year's rate, your tax bill may fluctuate based on your taxable appraised value from the Tarrant County Appraisal District. 

• M&O (Maintenance & Operations) pays for day-to-day district expenses, like teacher and staff salaries, utilities, classroom supplies, and building maintenance. Keep in mind, approximately 80% of our operational costs goes directly to staff salaries.
• I&S (Interest & Sinking) is used to repay bond debt for facilities. CISD has historically made larger bond payments than required, saving taxpayers money long-term. If approved, the school funding vote would allow us to shift 3 cents from I&S to M&O, maintaining a lower overall tax rate while maximizing local funds.

Golden pennies are a portion of a district’s tax rate that generates local revenue without triggering recapture.

• Texas allows districts to access up to 8 golden pennies, or up to 8 cents, on the M&O tax rate.
• The first 5 can be used without voter approval (CISD is already using these).
• The remaining 3 require voter approval. By approving these additional 3 golden pennies, CISD can maximize local funding and retain every dollar, unlike much of our current funding, where 25-30% (approx. $23 million this year alone) is sent back to the state through recapture.

The VATRE would generate up to $4 million the first year, and may grow as property values grow.

No. The additional revenue from the school funding vote will stay entirely in Carroll ISD and will not be subject to recapture.

Our top priority is compensation for teachers and staff. These funds will support raises across the board, from our custodial and child nutrition staff members, to teachers, principals, and support staff, many of whom are not covered under recent state-funded raises. Remaining funds will be invested in our everyday operations to offset our deficit and fund student programs.

The CISD Board of Trustees has:

• Lowered the tax rate year over year.

• Paid down approximately $137 million in debt. Of that amount, $45 million was applied toward defeasance - an accelerated payoff strategy that reduces future debt obligations, saving taxpayers over $16 million in interest.

• Continued to balance the budget.

They are now asking you to approve additional funding for the express purpose increasing pay for our staff and funding student programs.

Without additional funding:

• CISD will not collect approximately $4 million in revenue.
• CISD will not be able to offer raises to all staff.
• The district may consider reductions in programs and staffing.

CISD has resources like Carroll Education Foundation, which focuses on rewarding teachers each year. We also pursue revenue through property sales, facility rentals, sponsorships, and advertising. However, these sources are not sufficient to solve the current structural deficit.

Carroll ISD maintains a total fund balance of almost $49.8 million, equating to approximately 6.5 months of expenditures, and in excess of TEA Minimum Recommended Guidelines. This contributes to the District’s “A” financial accountability rating. This balance is primarily to cover emergencies, cash flow needs, and unexpected costs. However, fund balances are not designed to cover recurring budget deficits. Drawing from reserves to cover operating costs is not a sustainable long-term solution.

The VATRE election will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. You may vote at your designated polling location.