By N. Bradford
The Pearland ISD school board on Monday called a voter approval tax ratification election for Nov. 7.
The election, known as a VATRE, allows the school district to set its tax rate at just over $1.13 per $100 of valuation. State law requires school districts get voter approval to raise the maintenance and operations tax rate above a specified amount, in Pearland’s case nine cents.
A successful election would provide the district with an estimated $11 million to help balance the school district’s budget, which now has a $12 million shortfall largely due to inflation.
“We’re taxpayers too,” Pearland ISD Trustee Kris Schoeffler said. “We would love to see more savings and we’d love it if the school district budget was balanced. There’s a need there and we’re letting the public have an opinion on it. This does have to go to a vote.”
Whether or not the rate is approved, Superintendent Larry Berger said, the school tax rate is lower than the prior year either way. If approved by voters, the owner and resident of a $240,000 home saves $547 less on the annual tax bill. Without it, the rate is just over $1.04, saving the average homestead roughly $764.
The board approved calling the election unanimously.
“Our community just approved bonds to support soccer fields and watershed initiatives. I think they’d like the opportunity to support our school district, as well,” Trustee Crystal Carbone said. “This gives them that opportunity.”
Board members and administrators will be available to provide information about the election, but are prohibited from advocating for or against.
“We will come and inform,” Berger said. “If you want to know about the VATRE, let us know. If there are more than two people in a room wanting to know, we will be there.”
