Del Valle ISD calls Nov. 3 VATRE election on tax rate to raise $13.9M a year

DEL VALLE, Texas — Del Valle ISD voters will decide in November whether to approve a tax rate proposition expected to generate $13.9 million in new annual funding for the district.

The Del Valle ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to call a Voter-Approved Tax Ratification Election, or VATRE, for the Nov. 3 election.

If approved, Proposition A would generate $13.9 million in new funding during the current fiscal year and is expected to provide at least that amount annually in subsequent years, according to the district.

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The money would go toward Del Valle ISD’s maintenance and operations budget, including additional raises for teachers and staff, programs, and new employees for the district’s second high school, which is scheduled to open in 2028.

“This proposal aligns with the district goals, student programs and our future funding priorities,” Superintendent Matthew Gutierrez said.

The district said the additional revenue would be used for daily operating expenses such as salaries, classroom instruction, student services, and employee compensation rather than paying down debt from bond projects.

According to Del Valle ISD, a homeowner with the district’s average home market value of $314,376 would see an estimated property tax increase of $9.14 per year if Proposition A passes. That estimate includes the $140,000 standard homestead exemption.

Homeowners who are 65 or older or have disabilities would not see their taxes increase as a result of the proposition if they have the appropriate homestead exemption and have not made major improvements or additions to their homes, the district said.

State law requires voter approval for the district to raise this portion of its maintenance and operations tax rate. The district also noted that state law requires VATRE ballot propositions to include the phrase “THIS IS A TAX INCREASE.”

Del Valle ISD said it is seeking the additional funding as operating costs have increased nearly 25% because of inflation over the past seven years while state basic allotment funding has increased by less than 1%.

The district plans to provide additional information about the proposition to voters ahead of the election.

The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 5. Early voting runs Oct. 19 through Oct. 30, with Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3.