Five Central Texas school districts are calling for Voter-Approval Tax Rate Elections (VATRE) to increase their Maintenance and Operations tax rates. The districts cite budget deficits from inflation and inadequate state funding as reasons for the elections.
Where
Central Texas
When
October 2026
Sources
One outlet
Taxes and money
If approved, Leander ISD's VATRE would provide $6.7 million in additional revenue; Georgetown ISD's Prop A would generate $8.4 million annually and result in a 3.5% to 4% pay increase for staff.
Additional revenue from Leander ISD VATRE if approved$6.7 million12Who pays or receives it: Leander ISD taxpayers
M&O tax rate increase in Leander ISDthree cents per $100 of taxable value12Who pays or receives it: Leander ISD taxpayers
Budget reductions Leander ISD made over two years$26 million12Who pays or receives it: Leander ISD
Estimated annual district tax bill for Leander ISD home if VATRE passes$5,14112Who pays or receives it: homeowner with $460,292 taxable value
Leander ISD 2026-27 total tax rate if VATRE passes$1.1169 per $100 of taxable value12Who pays or receives it: Leander ISD taxpayers
Leander ISD 2026-27 tax rate if VATRE does not pass$1.0869 per $100 of taxable value12Who pays or receives it: Leander ISD taxpayers
Annual revenue generated if Georgetown ISD Prop A passes$8.4 million12Who pays or receives it: Georgetown ISD taxpayers
M&O tax rate increase in Georgetown ISDnine cents per $100 of taxable value12Who pays or receives it: Georgetown ISD taxpayers
Interest and sinking tax rate decrease in Georgetown ISDthree cents per $100 of taxable value12Who pays or receives it: Georgetown ISD taxpayers
Georgetown ISD 2026-27 total tax rate if Prop A passes$1.1106 per $100 of taxable value12Who pays or receives it: Georgetown ISD taxpayers
Estimated annual district tax bill for Georgetown ISD home if Prop A passes$3,38112Who pays or receives it: homeowner with $444,465 taxable value
Annual tax increase for average Georgetown ISD homeowner$7.9712Who pays or receives it: average homeowner
Georgetown ISD 2026-27 tax rate if Prop A does not pass$1.0506 per $100 of taxable value12Who pays or receives it: Georgetown ISD taxpayers
Who's involved
Bastrop ISDschool district seeking VATRE
Coupland ISDschool district seeking VATRE
Del Valle ISDschool district seeking VATRE
Georgetown ISDschool district seeking VATRE
Leander ISDschool district seeking VATRE
The facts
Five Central Texas school districts calling for VATRE: Bastrop, Coupland, Del Valle, Georgetown, and Leander ISDs.12Stated by 2 sources
Texas law requires VATRE when a school district seeks voter approval to increase M&O tax rate.12Stated by 2 sources
Districts cite budget deficits due to inflation and lack of state funding for calling VATRE.12Stated by 2 sources
Leander ISD made $26 million in budget reductions over past two years.12Stated by 2 sources
Georgetown ISD's Prop A on ballot; 3.5% to 4% staff pay increase if passed.12Stated by 2 sources
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Leander ISD additional pennies would provide about $6.7 million in additional revenue after recapture12
Georgetown ISD VATRE needed to maintain balanced budget, preserve student programs, and increase staff compensation12
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
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