VATRE
The Alvarado ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to call a voter-approved tax ratification election (VATRE) that will be on the November 5 ballot.
On November 5, 2024, and during early voting hours, voters residing within the Alvarado ISD boundaries will be asked to consider a 11.77-cent increase to the Maintenance and Operations (M&O) tax rate. This would generate approximately $3.7 million in funding for school district operations, including safety, instruction, staff, transportation, maintenance, and other daily operating expenses.
Like most school districts across the state, Alvarado ISD adopted a deficit budget for the 2024-2025 school year following legislative inaction. State funding for school districts has not been updated since 2019 despite substantial inflation, leading to multimillion-dollar budget shortfalls in school districts across Texas. Additionally, though they approved $4 billion in new funding for public schools in 2023, state leaders still have not made those funds available to public schools.
VATRE Priorities
Safety and Security
Alvarado ISD has been a leader in safety and security since establishing its own police department in 2019. Since that time the district has added officers and now has one at each campus, along with reserve officers for special events. The district also continues to upgrade its technology infrastructure in the field of safety and security.
Competitive Pay
If a VATRE is approved by voters, Alvarado ISD will focus on increasing teacher and staff salaries and benefits with competitive compensation. The district continues to be amongst the leaders in pay at the 20-year and above level. This will help the district in recruiting and retaining new teachers in the profession along with support personnel for the classroom.
Deferred Maintenance
Alvarado ISD has a bus fleet that includes several buses over 20 years old and air conditioning units that are no longer able to be serviced by the provider. If a VATRE is approved by the voters, deferred maintenance will be a high priority for Alvarado ISD.
Important Voting Dates
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