North Texas voters considered billions of dollars in school funding measures Tuesday. <\/p>\n
The largest bond was Richardson ISD\u2019s $1.4 billion package<\/a>, separated into three proposals.<\/p>\n Unofficial results show all three propositions appeared to pass<\/a>: Proposition A, worth $1.3 billion to fund new and renovated schools; Prop B, worth $54 million for technology; and Prop C, valued at nearly $7.4 million, to upgrade some stadiums and bring them into compliance with some federal laws.<\/p>\n In Midlothian ISD, southeast of Fort Worth, unofficial early results show voters favoring<\/a> all three propositions totaling $389 million. <\/p>\n Proposition A, for $226.5 million, would build new schools and improve others.<\/p>\n Prop B, worth $157 million, would pay for a career and technology center.<\/p>\n Prop C, worth $5.6 million, would fund technology devices.<\/p>\n In Weatherford ISD, west of Fort Worth, voters appeared to reject the district’s $189 million bond package<\/a>, with all three propositions <\/a>failing, according to unofficial results.<\/p>\n Several districts sought approval for VATREs, Voter-Approval Tax Ratification Elections. While bonds can only legally fund capital projects, districts use VATREs to pay salaries, operating expenses and other costs, without incurring new debt.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how some VATREs fared around North Texas:<\/p>\n Carroll ISD: Voters appear to have approved a VATRE to generate roughly $4 million<\/a> to help compensate for a budget deficit due to enrollment declines.<\/p>\n Denton ISD: Early unofficial results show voters appear to have approved <\/a>a VATRE worth $26 million<\/a> to battle recent record inflation, restore previous budget reductions, and improve pay that to help retain teachers. <\/p>\n Garland ISD: Its VATRE, which would generate $56 million in additional annual revenue<\/a> for special education, salary hikes for improved teacher retention, student programs and added safety and security measures, appears to have passed, according to unofficial results.<\/p>\n Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD: The VATRE worth $6.5 million<\/a> to raise teacher and staff salaries and expand student programs appeared set to pass as of 10:45 p.m.<\/p>\n Northwest ISD: A VATRE to generate about $12 million<\/a> to help reduce class sizes and improve teacher compensation appeared set to pass, according to unofficial results.<\/p>\n Rockwall ISD: The district\u2019s $16.5 million VATRE<\/a>, for underfunded mandates, competitive teacher compensation, and required safety measures, appears to have passed.<\/p>\n Bill Zeeble is KERA\u2019s education reporter. Got a tip? Email Bill at\u00a0bzeeble@kera.org<\/a>. You can follow him on X\u00a0@bzeeble<\/a>.<\/p>\n KERA News is made possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, consider\u00a0making a tax-deductible gift today<\/a>. Thank you.<\/p>\n