​A TRE is a special election called by the Board of Trustees asking voters to approve a tax rate that is above the current $1.07 (M&O) Maintenance and Operations tax rate. The school board has the authority to levy an M&O tax rate up to $1.07 but any increase above that amount requires voter approval. 

On August 9, 2017 the Board of Trustees adopted an M&O tax rate of $1.20,
an increase of 13 cents.

The District’s tax rate is composed of two parts:

Maintenance and Operations (M&O) tax rate 
and the 
Interest and Sinking (I&S) tax rate.

The M&O fund pays for day to day district operations such as payroll, utilities, and maintenance of schools and facilities. 

By law, the I&S rate can only be used to make payments on district bonds much like the principal and interest on a home mortgage.

On August 9, 2017 the Board of Trustees adopted an M&O tax rate of
$1.20, an increase of 13 cents.

Proposed Increase would be
M&O $1.07(current) + $0.13 (proposed)  = $1.20 + I&S $0.28 = $1.48

NO, If your taxes are currently frozen due to an Over 65 or Disabled Persons exemption, then your taxes will not be affected by a tax rate increase.

1. Remain competitive with surrounding districts in recruiting/retaining teachers and staff. 

2. Continue Innovative Instructional Programs
 

3. Maximize State Funding
The TRE gives the district an opportunity to maximize funding potential, as the 13 cent increase will generate approximately 16 million dollars from local property taxes in which the state will match those funds with an additional 20.7 million dollars, totaling 36.7 million dollars for M&O.



4. Increasing Enrollment



5. Increased costs for Utilities

School funding comes from two main sources:
 Local Property Taxes and State Funds

For the last 14 consecutive years, Pasadena ISD has received a “Superior” rating in the School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST). This program is designed to encourage public schools to better manage their financial resources in order to provide the maximum allocation possible for direct instructional purposes.

Further, Pasadena ISD has not had to raise taxes since 2005-2006 School Year. Even with two bond issues in 2011 and 2014, the District has been able to manage the budget, maintain a healthy fund balance and build schools during a recession and after.

Insurance Prices began to skyrocket during the recession, the Board of Trustees developed a plan to open wellness centers within the district saving the district, the taxpayer and PISD employees millions of dollars a year in insurance premiums.

The District has also:

• Sold excess property
• Refunded existing bond debt to save money
• Renegotiated purchasing contracts
• Maximized federal revenue in SHARS
• Renegotiate Electricity Rates
• Evaluated contracting-out Maintenance, Food Service and Transportation

No, many districts across the state have held a TRE to meet the needs of students and community.  

The following districts in our area have passed a TRE.