Abilene ISD calls vote on funding plan to fix $3.4 million deficit

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – The Abilene Independent School District has a plan to tackle its $3.4 million operating deficit, and the community will decide on it this November.

The AISD Board of Trustees has voted to call a Voter-Approval Tax Ratification Election (VATRE), giving voters the chance to approve more than $10 million in new annual funding: $3.7 million from local sources and $6.3 million from the state.

Thanks to recent state legislation, property owners will soon see some tax relief. The VATRE would shift more funding from the district’s Maintenance and Operations Tax Rate. Without VATRE approval, the average tax bill would drop by $208.67; with VATRE approval, the decrease would be $174.07. Either way, taxpayers will still see a decrease in the school tax rate.

“If the VATRE passes, it will generate more than $10 million in funds for AISD students, staff, and schools annually,” the district shared. “To reiterate, VATRE passage means AISD will have over $10 million in increased revenue that stays local every single year and never creates new debt for the district. VATRE money would be used to close the gap on a $3.4 million operating deficit caused by rising inflation, underfunded state mandates, and declining enrollment. VATRE passage would also help AISD increase employee compensation and address an aging school bus fleet.”

If voters reject the VATRE, AISD says additional budget cuts will follow. The election is set for November 4. Voter registration closes October 6.