Magnolia Independent School District (MISD) is urging voters to approve a tax increase in the November 5 election to raise $7.4 million for staff pay raises and enhanced school safety measures. The proposed tax increase would result in an additional $8.21 per month for the average homeowner, supporting critical initiatives for the district.
CONROE-Magnolia Independent School District (MISD) urges local voters to endorse a tax increase in the November 5 election. The increase would generate $7.4 million in financing for staff pay raises and enhanced school safety measures.
Photo Source: Magnolia ISD website
The proposed increase would result in an additional cost of approximately $8.21 per month for the average householder, as the tax rate would be raised from $0.9638 to $0.9895 per $100 valuation.
"We require this election to assist us in retaining and recruiting high-quality teachers and staff, given that our turnover rate is approximately 20%," stated Denise Meyers, MISD's chief communications officer. "This funding will also allow us to hire additional constables for safety at our campuses."
Over the past few years, the district has encountered substantial financial difficulties, necessitating the sacrifice of salary increases for teachers and personnel to preserve a balanced budget.
Board President Gary Blizzard underscored the necessity of this funding, stating, "We are currently in a position where we are not receiving any additional funding from the state, which is responsible for a substantial portion of our budget." We are expected to exceed expectations with the same quantity of funding that the state has provided us since 2019.
If approved, the tax increase would generate $3.7 million in local funding, which would be matched by an additional $3.7 million in state funding, resulting in a total of $7.4 million in annual funding. This funding would be allocated to recruiting additional school safety officers, implementing a new loyalty pay program for staff, and salary increases.
Despite a record budget surplus of over $30 billion in 2023, the Texas Legislature has failed to enact a comprehensive school funding plan or a teacher pay raise bill, which is why this election is urgent. The basic allotment for MISD is $6,160 per pupil, which is $4,000 less than the national average.
A district release stated, "That's five years of consistently being asked to do more with less, despite inflation and rising costs." "Driving a bus, serving lunch, and even basic utilities cost more today than five years ago."
The proposed tax increase is not expected to result in new debt for the district. Instead, it is designed to establish a dependable source of funding for implementing critical safety measures and staff compensation. Without voter approval, MISD cannot access the supplementary funds required to support these initiatives.
The proposed tax increase in Magnolia Independent School District (MISD) is expected to substantially impact the district's overall budget, notably in areas critical to staff compensation and school safety.
If approved, the tax increase would generate an additional $7.4 million annually for the district. By including $3.7 million in local funding and an equivalent quantity in state funding, the impact of local taxpayer contributions is effectively doubled.
The proposed tax rate increase would raise the current rate of $0.9638 per $100 valuation to $0.9895, resulting in an approximate $8.21 monthly increase for the average householder.
Officials in the district are optimistic that voters will acknowledge the significance of investing in their children's safety and education as they prepare for the election.
Meyers further stated, "This is a critical juncture for our district." We require the community's assistance to guarantee that we can continue to offer our students a safe and high-quality education.
The Magnolia ISD Event Center will host a public hearing on August 26 to discuss the tax increase. Community members will be able to learn more about the election and its implications.
Election Day is scheduled for November 5, while early voting commences on October 21 and continues until November 1.
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