Garland ISD Board of Trustees puts tax proposal on November ballot

When voters go to the polls for the Garland Independent School District’s trustee elections in November, the ballot will include a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) proposal.

The Board of Trustees says the initiative would “generate additional funds from the state while also reducing the burden on local homeowners,” according to a press release.

Initially postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Garland ISD elections are slated to be on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Early voting will span from Oct. 13 until Oct. 30.

If approved, the VATRE would shrink the district’s property tax rate by nearly five cents, the press release added.

“If voters approve the VATRE, homeowners will see a lower property tax rate in 2020-21 while our school district will benefit from an almost $42 million increase in funding annually,” said Board President Johnny Beach in the statement.

“These funds would be used to provide competitive teacher salaries, expanded Pre-K offerings, additional academic and fine arts opportunities, and more,” he said.

The trustees called for the proposal in response to “rising operating costs and no new funding from the state,” the statement continues.

When voters cast their ballots in November, the VATRE will be listed as a tax increase, as per requirements enshrined in Texas House Bill 3.

Yet with the lower interest and sinking rate, the statement explains, voters “would not see an increase.”

“This VATRE would not only help us continue to take care of our students,” said Garland ISD Superintendent Dr. Ricardo López. “It would also help us take care of our more than 7,500 staff members.”