SOUTHLAKE -- To avoid cutting science lab teachers, reading specialists and educators in the gifted and talented programs for the upcoming school year, Carroll school trustees are considering a special election this fall for a 2-cent increase in the property tax rate.
It would be the first time in several years that school officials have proposed raising the tax rate, which is $1.415 per $100 of assessed property value. If they want to hold an election Sept. 15, trustees must decide at tonight's board meeting.If voters approve an increase, the maintenance and operations rate for fiscal 2013 would be $1.06. The amount for debt repayment would stay the same or possibly decrease, officials said.School board President Read Ballew, said that a tax ratification election is one of the options the board has been considering for two years and that reducing the shortfall for fiscal 2013, projected at about $3 million, would help avoid cuts that would affect the classroom."Based on the feedback we have received over the past two years, it is preferred by our constituents over cost reductions in the classroom," he said.Effects of Robin HoodA 2-cent tax-rate hike would generate $1.1 million. If trustees call an election, they would adopt two versions of the budget by Aug. 31 -- one with and one without the additional 2 cents, officials said.The portion of Carroll's tax rate that pays for day-to-day operations is $1.04, the highest allowed under state law without voter approval. But the law allows voters to authorize adding up to 13 cents to the operations tax rate, to $1.17.Carroll taxpayers aren't keen on the idea of raising the rate to the full amount, according to two surveys conducted by the district. Under the Texas education funding formula, money generated from the first 2 cents is kept by Carroll. About 60 percent of the remaining 11 cents would go to the state under the share-the-wealth finance system known as Robin Hood. The district expects to send $15 million to the state for fiscal 2012.But in a 2011 online survey, 83 percent said they agreed or strongly agreed with an election for a 2-cent rate increase.District cuts costsCarroll has been working for several years to find new revenue and curb spending. For fiscal 2013, trustees expanded the pay-to-ride bus fee starting in the fall and cut eight teaching positions through attrition in grades five through 12.In earlier years, the district cut $3 million in central office costs, including in athletics, campus supply budgets, and administrative and support positions.Carroll officials expect state funding to drop by $8 million over 2011-2012 and 2012-2013.Several area school districts have asked voters to raise the tax rate. In June 2011, Keller district voters defeated a proposal to raise the tax rate by 13 cents.The Aledo, Castleberry, Everman, Kennedale and Lake Worth districts have 2011 operations tax rates of $1.17 per $100 of assessed property value, according to the Tarrant Appraisal District.This report includes material from the Star-Telegram archives.Jessamy Brown, 817-390-7326, Twitter: @JessamybrownDiane Smith, 817-390-7675, Twitter: @dianeasmith1
If you go
The Carroll school board meets at 5:30 p.m. today, followed by an executive session. The public meeting on the tax rate starts at 6:30.
Former Carroll Middle School, library, 1101 E. Dove Road, Southlake
www.southlakecarroll.edu; www.carrollbudget.com
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