The Dallas ISD Board of Trustees approved bringing a tax ratification election to voters in November that, if approved, would fund strategic initiatives that support students.
If approved by voters, the TRE would provide an additional $126 million every year to support:
- Early Learning
- Racial Equity
- Schools of Choice
- Strategic Compensation
Election Day is Nov. 6, and Oct. 9 is the last day to register to vote in the election.
What is a Tax Ratification Election (TRE)?
A TRE is a special election called by a school district’s board of trustees that asks voters to approve an increase in its maintenance and operating (M&O) tax rate.
Since 2008, Dallas ISD has maintained an M&O tax rate of $1.04. The TRE would increase the M&O tax rate by 13 cents to $1.17. This would raise property taxes for the average homeowner—which is an $185,000 home—by $20 a month. The TRE would not affect taxpayers 65 years or older or those who are disabled if they have a frozen tax levy.
Of the 38 area districts in Dallas and Collin counties, 25 have passed a TRE. Since 2006, more than 500 Texas school districts have called a TRE.
District gains
Trustees approved bringing the TRE to voters one day after the Texas Education Agency released accountability ratings showing that Dallas ISD is making tremendous gains. The gains include:
- Dallas ISD is home to six out of 12 schools that received the highest possible score of 99 on the 2018 STAAR.
- Dallas ISD achieved a steep decline in the number of Improvement Required campuses, from 43 in 2013-2014 to four in 2017-2018.
- More Dallas ISD students are meeting state standard on the STAAR exam, narrowing the gap between the district and the state:
- 2013-2014: 27% Dallas ISD; 39% State
- 2017-2018: 40% Dallas ISD; 47% State
