Austin voters have just approved Proposition A, which means there will be a tax rate increase to support the Austin Independent School District. This increase is expected to bring in millions of dollars that will be used for teacher pay raises and savings.
The average homeowner can anticipate an increase of over $400 in property taxes due to this proposition. The tax rate will go up by $0.091 to $0.9505, which equals about 9.1 cents for every $100 of a property’s value.
AISD Superintendent Matias Segura expressed his excitement about this development at a watch party, emphasizing the significance of this decision for the community. A total of $171 million is projected to be generated annually from this tax increase, with $41 million staying within AISD. The remaining amount will go to the state to assist other school districts under the recapture funding system.
Despite the fact that most of the raised funds will be taken by the state, many voters like John Laycock still support the increase in order to provide teachers with the necessary financial support. Plans outlined by the district reveal that $17.8 million will be allocated for salary adjustments and $20 million will be used to replenish savings and reduce the deficit, which was at $119 million for the upcoming school year.
Thanks to the passing of Prop A, most teachers in the district can expect to see raises before the year ends. The salary increases will vary, with new teachers receiving less than 1% raise and experienced educators with over 20 years seeing an increase of over 8%.
Superintendent Segura expressed his enthusiasm for the community’s support for teachers and the positive impact this will have on the district. Despite the financial boost from Prop A, Austin ISD still faces challenges in overcoming its budget deficit. Plans are in place to cut $26 million from the budget this year and an additional $28 million next year, with recommendations for budget cuts expected before Thanksgiving.
Austin ISD Board President Arati Singh emphasized the importance of strategic spending to improve student outcomes and provide children with the education they deserve. The approval of Proposition A marks a significant step forward in supporting teachers and enhancing the quality of education in the district.
