It might be counter-intuitive in these financially distressed times to increase (even this immaterially) taxes, but further investing in education is exactly what we have to do.
The state’s broken system of funding robs AISD of already tight funding and has resulted in AISD falling behind in teacher salaries. As you know, the quality of Austin’s workforce is critical to our future, as is the quality of our public school system to our commercial competitveness.
Austin students deserve good teachers.
Austin teachers deserve our support.
Austin ISD Proposition 1 – unanimously approved by the AISD Board of Trustees – will allow AISD to attract and retain highly qualified teachers and improve the quality of education in our schools.
Austin ISD is rated the second best urban school district on the Nation’s Education Report Card, due largely to the work of our very dedicated teachers — many who put aside their lunch and sacrifice their breaks to work with our children. They spend their summers creating new curriculum; they often purchase classroom supplies out of their own pocket to enhance classroom learning.
Prop. 1 will help attract and retain good teachers.
Austin ISD Prop. 1 will increase the school district’s maintenance-and-operations tax rate by 3.9 cents per $100 of property value. It would primarily be used to increase teacher and staff salaries by a modest three percent. An exemption is available for homeowners 65 and older.
The teacher pay raise will significantly close the pay gap between Austin ISD and the surrounding suburban school districts such as Round Rock and Leander ISD. This will help us keep the best and the brightest educators right here in our own community. If Prop. 1 does not pass, Austin ISD teachers and educators will not receive a pay raise and we may lose some of our best teachers.
Austin ISD’s tax rate will still the lowest in Central Texas
AISD has not increased its maintenance and operations tax rate in six years. Even if Prop. 1 is approved, AISD will continue to have the lowest tax rate in central Texas. We are now faced with this tax increase due to changes in Texas law in 2006, when school district revenue was locked in at the same per-student dollar amount as the 2005-2006 school year. There was no inflation adjustment and no cost-of-living adjust-ment—just a hard freeze. If Austin ISD needs to spend more money on gas for school buses or air conditioning for classrooms or wants to provide a modest pay raise for our teachers we have to hold a tax rate election. At the end of 2007, 140 districts had already held local elections to meet rising costs. It is now our turn.
Every child deserves a great teacher. Excellent teachers are critical to our children graduating with the skills necessary to succeed in college, their careers, and life. This is a great opportunity for our community to tell teachers that we value their work.
Parents, teachers, business leaders, and labor groups have all endorsed Prop 1 so that our children can have the quality teachers they deserve to thrive and succeed.
Now it is up to you.
Questions and Answers about AISD Prop. 1
Why does Austin ISD need to hold a tax rate election?
In the 2006 special session, the Texas Legislature in HB 1 froze the funding for public education at 2005-2006 levels. The only option for school districts to increase per-pupil revenue — to pay to put gas in school buses, or air conditioning in classes, or a modest pay raise — is for voters to approve raising the school tax rate. The Legislature requires school districts to go to the voters for a referendum to approve their tax rates.
How much will Prop. 1 cost me?
The average AISD homeowner would pay an additional $8.00 per month. Proposition 1 would increase the tax rate by 3.9 cents per $100 property valuation.
What happens if Prop. 1 is approved?
AISD teachers and educators will receive a 3% pay raise. Prop. 1 will allow AISD to attract and retain highly qualified teachers and improve the quality of education in our schools. A teacher pay raise will significantly close the pay gap between Austin ISD and the surrounding suburban school districts such as Round Rock ISD and Leander ISD.
What will happen if Prop. 1 fails?
There will be no pay raise for teachers if this proposition fails. The only way for Austin ISD teachers to receive a pay raise is if the voters approve AISD Proposition 1. It will be difficult for AISD to attract new teachers or retain good teachers.
Will this raise the tax rate of senior citizens?
No, there will be no tax increase for senior citizens (65 and older) who have filed for their exemption with the Travis County tax office.
Property values are going up. Can’t that cover salaries?
No. Most local government entities, such as Austin Community College and the City of Austin, can keep additional property tax revenue they receive from new developments and property appraisal increases. But with the legislative change for school financing in 2006, Austin ISD receives only 3% of its new revenue from growth in the tax rolls — and sends $173 million to the State of Texas.
Who is supporting Prop. 1?
Prop. 1 supporters include the Austin Chamber of Commerce, Austin Central Labor Council, Austin Council of PTAs, Texas Classroom Teachers Association, Association of Texas Professional Educators, and League of Women Voters.
How is AISD performing?
Well and getting better. According to the “Nation’s Report Card,” Austin ISD is rated either first or second among urban school districts at the 4th and 8th grade reading and math assessments. The Austin Chamber Education Progress Report for Austin ISD shows significant performance gains in high school completion, college readiness and direct to college enrollment. The FY2009 budget will invest in algebra readiness, high school completion, college readiness and college enrollment improvement efforts.
Is Austin ISD a good financial value?
Yes. Austin ISD is one of only five Texas school districts — out of more than 1,040 in the state — with an AA+ bond rating from the Moody’s bond rating agency. This means that Austin ISD taxpayers pay lower interest rates than almost anyone else. Unlike most other Texas school districts, Austin ISD has carefully built up its savings account (known as a fund balance) to ensure that natural disasters, large home value decreases or other unforeseen circumstances can be weathered.
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