BEAUMONT, Texas — Beaumont residents will find more than candidates on the ballot this November. The Beaumont Independent School District hopes voters will sign off on a new proposition.
The district is holding a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE). If it passes the district could move money that was set aside for paying off old school bonds into its operations funds.
BISD will be able to increase the maintenance and operations (M&O) fund and generate the $13 million it needs.
The change would cover raises for teachers and staff.
"I think if you just get that money and you're able to pay more teachers we're gonna have a lot more quality prospects coming through, a lot of better teachers, and obviously that flows down hill and goes to the students," said Carl Lambeth, a Beaumont resident.
The district hopes to give certified teachers and employees across the district a 5% raise. The district also needs money for increased security measures and to maintain educational programs.
"Some of the programs that we've implemented will probably be limited and we definitely will be making cuts because if the VATRE doesn't pass it will put us into a deficit budget of just almost $4 million," said BISD Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Hernandez.
Hernandez says BISD is asking for permission to lower the interest and sinking (I&S) fund, which can only be used to pay off the school's debt.
"We've been decreasing debt which is paying it off early and we'll still be able to make our debt payments, but decreasing that tax rate and moving it to the other side, it increases the tax rate to more than the board can legally adopt without voter approval," Hernandez said.
If the district increases the M&O fund, $13 million can be used to enhance educational operations.
Lambeth says he understands what's at stake if the VATRE fails.
"Some of the cons would be that we are not gonna have teacher salaries up to par with our peers," said Lambeth.
Overall, he believes the proposal is worth students' education. Especially after hearing BISD has not received any additional state funding since 2019.
"I just have to tell parents, make sure your kid is going to school. It's not just gonna benefit them but for the rest of the kids, really with just funds," Lambeth said.
BISD trustees adopted a tax rate that is 2 cents lower than what it was last year. This means pass or fail, the district says your tax rate is being lowered.
However, if your home's appraised value went up you may still pay slightly more than last year.