by Nicole Bradford
With Pearland ISD’s tax rate election narrowly approved by voters, superintendent Larry Berger issued a statement Friday thanking the community for standing up for education.
“We do not take that vote lightly,” he said. “We thank you for your trust; we will not break that trust.”
Just over 57 percent of Brazoria County voters, or 5,448, supported the Pearland ISD Voter Approval Tax Rate Election, or VATRE. According to the Brazoria County elections office, about 43 percent, or 4,105 voters, were against it.
A small portion of Pearland ISD lies in Harris County, where 109 voters, or 47 percent, cast ballots for the VATRE. According to the Harris County elections office, nearly 53 percent, or 122 ballots, were against the measure.
Pearland ISD’s now voter-approved tax rate is $1.13 per $100 of assessed value. The new rate generates another $12 million for the school district and helps shore up a $12.7 million budget shortfall. Combined with recent school tax cuts by the state, PISD administrators say it’s a win-win for both the district and the taxpayers: The owner of a $240,000 home will save $547 on this year’s school tax bill. The tax rate in Pearland ISD last year was $1.30.
The school board adopted the tax rate on Aug. 21, which triggered the November election.
If a school district adopts a maintenance and operations rate that exceeds the maximum the state allows, a VATRE must be held to get voter approval.
Pearland was among many Texas districts holding a successful VATRE, including Friendswood and Clear Creek ISDs.
