FAQ

A voter-approved tax ratification election (VATRE) allows a school district to utilize additional pennies on its tax rate in order to generate additional revenue.  As the name indicates, this must be approved by voters within the school district.

A VATRE would generate approximately $4 million in funding for school district operations, including safety, instruction, staff, transportation, maintenance, and other daily operating expenses. After several years of inaction, state funding was increased this year to make way for much-needed teacher pay raises. However, very little was done for non-professional educators and the day-to-day operational costs of the district.

If the VATRE is approved by voters in November, the total tax rate will increase by 11.77 cents.  After the $140,000 homestead, this would represent an average yearly decrease of -$390 (-$32.50 a month) on a home valued at $200,000.

Taxpayers over age 65 , who have applied for their exemption, would incur no tax rate increase unless they make substantial improvements to their home.

The graph below shows the yearly comparison of the bottom five school district tax rates in Johnson County.

The chart below shows the M&0 tax rate history for Alvarado ISD. The 2025-2026 rate is based on the Voter Approved Tax Ratification Election passing. If it does not pass, the rate will drop to a 66.69 cents rate.

We will be hosting community meetings through the Fall. Once those are scheduled we will list the dates, times and places here.

Property and auto insurance costs for Alvarado ISD have went up 119% since 2019. In 2023 the district elected to go with a 2% deductible to keep costs down as much as possible. The district again went with a higher deductible of 3% in 2024 in an effort to offset what would have been an even larger increase in cost.

Since 2019, electricity costs for the school district have went up over 89 percent. The only addition to the school district's electricity grid  during that time is the 6th grade wing at Alvarado Junior High.

Yes, however, commercial properties do not qualify for the homestead exemption.

There are significant costs associated with going out for a VATRE. Each time, the district must have an external auditing firm conduct an efficiency audit. There are also additional expenses due to the county to put on an election. 

We are currently deficit budgeting this year by $400,000. Asking for a portion of the 12 cents would get us out of the deficit budget, but it does not address the priorities of safety and security, deferred maintenance, and competitive pay.

Compensation increases will be given to all employees. However, the increases will not be a flat percentage across the board. Instead, they will vary based on the job categories. Some job categories are further out of alignment with the state than others.

The district is in a co-op with other school districts. The co-op shops around for the best coverage and cost.