Carroll ISD is considering a tax ratification election over projected $5M deficit
The Southlake Carroll school district is facing a projected $5 million budget deficit for next school year, and trustees are considering a recommendation to call a voter-approved tax ratification election in November.
Board president Cameron Bryan stated in a report during Monday night’s meeting that a team from a district budget reduction action committee recommended calling the election to help bring in revenue to offset the deficit without increasing the tax rate.
The team included parents, teachers, administrators and trustees, Bryan said.
“The team found that even with the implementation of cost reductions and efficiencies, additional revenue will be necessary to balance the budget and preserve the educational programs, teacher and staff compensation levels, and student services our community expects,” he said.
The district said in an emailed statement to the Star-Telegram that the total property tax rate would not increase.
“While no official decision has been made, the Board is considering a recommendation from last fall’s Budget Reduction Advisory Committee to place the measure on the November 5 ballot. This measure would optimize the local tax structure to generate $3.5-4 million annually, without raising the total tax rate above the current rate of $0.961700.”
Meanwhile, Bryan said that projections indicate that Carroll will have to send $28 million in property tax revenue back to the state where it will be distributed to other school districts under the recapture or “Robin Hood” rules.
“That is approximately one-third of our property taxes collected in our community that we cannot keep in our district,” he said.
Bryan also pointed out that the Legislature has not provided adequate funding for school districts although schools have seen steep increases in costs. The per student allotment increased by $55 in the school finance bill Gov. Greg Abbott signed June 4.
“The miniscule $55 increase in per student funding is just not enough to allow our current situation to be sustainable. Thus, we must act now to find additional revenue that we are allowed to keep in our District,” Bryan said.
“We’d held out hope this legislation session would have adequately funded public education. It did not, and thus triggered the need for immediate action based on the (budget committee’s) five-year plan,” he said.