Polls are open Tuesday for Galveston ISD’s ballot proposition called Tax Ratification Election (TRE). The TRE, regardless of outcome, will lower the school tax rate. Simply put, a “For” vote will drop the school tax rate one cent, while providing the funds to pay for a three-percent increase for all teachers and staff, including raising the starting salary for all new teachers. An “Against” vote will lower the school tax rate three cents, with no raises for teachers or staff.
GISD officials are able to lower the Interest and Sinking fund tax rate (that pays for big school projects, approved by voters) three cents without a vote due to the refinancing of bonds, that saves taxpayers $8 million. This led the Trustees to call the tax ratification election, enacting the “golden pennies” rule, which allows districts to raise the Maintenance and Operations tax rate (which pays for salaries, supplies and facility upkeep) two cents without fear of any of the funds raised from the “golden pennies” sent back to the state of Texas under current Robin Hood/Chapter 41 rules. Currently, GISD sends over $13 million back to the state every year to be redistributed to property poor districts due to its property wealth.
The two cents would raise $1.1 million in funding that will stay completely in Galveston and will pay for the increase for all teachers and staff. Besides raising funds that cannot be touched by the state, the major reason for calling the election is staying competitive with other school districts in the area. The starting teacher salary for GISD is $44,700 compared to $50,000 for Pearland ISD, $48,500 for Clear Creek ISD, and $48,000 for Texas City ISD. If the ballot proposition passes, starting salaries will go up to $46,100.
Election Day Bolivar voting location:
Joe Faggard Community Center – 1750 Highway 87, Crystal Beach, TX
Tuesday, Aug. 26, from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
(published 8/26/2014)
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