Early voting begins Monday for the Nov. 7 election that includes a vital financial decision for the Pearland ISD, along with state constitutional amendments.
Early voting will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at nine locations throughout the county. Pearland locations include the Tom Reid Library, 3522 Liberty Drive; the West Pearland Community Center, 2150 Countryplace Parkway; and West Pearland Library, 11801 Shadow Creek Parkway.
Facing a budget deficit and rising costs, Pearland ISD trustees on Aug. 21 approved a tax rate that generates another $12 million for the district — but also triggered a voter approval tax rate election, or VATRE.
State law requires school districts to get voter approval to raise the maintenance and operations tax rate above a maximum specified amount.
In-person presentations about the VATRE are set for 7 p.m. this Thursday, Oct. 19, at the Sunset Cinema in Independence Park, at 5:30 p.m. Halloween night at the city’s Trick or Treat Trail, and at 6 p.m. Nov. 1 at the District Support Center.
Should voters approve the rate passed by trustees, the $1.13 school tax rate means the owner of a $240,000 home still saves $547 on his or her school tax bill.
Should the VATRE fail, taxpayers would save roughly $764, but the local school district would be left with a $12.7 million budget shortfall.
More information, a tax rate calculator, past presentations, and more information is available at pearlandisd.org/VATRE.
