Dear Vega ISD Community:
Last week was full of many activities for our Vega ISD students. Our 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade students took their field trip to the Tri State Fairgrounds last week. Our junior high volleyball team went to Wildorado while our JV and Varsity Volleyball teams notched some more victories in their game competitions on Tuesday and Saturday. The junior high and JV football teams hosted Sudan last Thursday and played hard while the Varsity Football Longhorns traveled to Sudan and competed and showed their grit. All of our teams have lots to be proud of with their effort last week and how they represented our school.
I had the opportunity to attend the Community Meeting hosted by Representative John Smithee and Senator Kevin Sparks Monday midday at the Oldham County Community Center. We certainly appreciate everyone who made the event possible and the opportunity for us to ask questions and express the need for state funding support for Texas public schools.
Last week, we provided an overview that the district is facing budget shortfalls because of inflation and the state’s compressed tax rate. The costs of the district’s utilities, insurance, and fuel have increased by over $190,000 since 2018-2019, the last time the state increased the basic school allotment. What other steps has the District taken to account for increased costs? Over the past several years, Vega ISD has reduced the number of positions that both directly and indirectly support students to reduce the district’s operating expenses. For the most part class sizes remain small and the District has minimized staff reduction and education program changes. The District continues to evaluate its options regarding staffing and educational programs.
The Vega ISD school board is proposing an overall tax rate of $1.3555 ($0.8555 for Maintenance & Operations & $0.50 for Interest & Sinking). This overall tax rate is an increase by 12 cents per $100 property valuation. By fact, this would be the third lowest tax rate in the past 10 years and the second lowest M&O tax rate in the past 20 years. For a home that is valued at $200,000 (after the $100,000 homestead exemption the taxable value of the home would be $100,000) an approved VATRE would increase the taxes by $120 a year or $10 a month. Similarly, for a home that is valued at $300,000 (after the $100,000 homestead exemption the taxable value of the home would be $200,000) an approved VATRE would increase the taxes by $240 a year or $20 a month.
Because this tax rate exceeds the district’s no-new-revenue rate set by the state, the district must conduct a Voter Approved Tax Ratification Election (VATRE) in November. If approved, the proposed tax rate would result in over $500,000 in additional revenue for the District which would be used to fund the maintenance and operation of the district, including the ability to provide the enriching educational opportunities through staffing and programming found in Vega ISD. If VATRE is approved, property owners 65 and older with a homestead tax exemption would experience no change to their taxes as a result of the election. If the VATRE fails, the District will not be able to adopt a tax rate above the no-new-revenue tax rate.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I would be glad to answer any questions you may have. If you have an organization or group who would like to set up a Q&A about the VATRE, please reach out to me and we would gladly make arrangements for you.
Thank you,
Jerry Adams
Superintendent, Vega ISD