Prop A 2024
Proposition A is a voter-approval tax ratification election (VATRE), which is an election required by the state that asks voters to consider approving a modified tax rate.
Proposition A would provide $1 million of new funding in the current fiscal year—and is expected to provide at least as much each year thereafter—for the district’s Maintenance and Operations instructional budget without raising the current tax rate.
Prop A Funding Priorities
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RECRUIT AND RETAIN
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Prop A provides funds to recruit and retain staff.
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TEACHER AND STAFF STIPENDS
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Prop A provides funds to continue to provide teacher and staff stipends.
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School Finanace
School Districts in Texas have two budgets. Maintenance & Operations (M&O) funds pay for day-to-day operations. Interest & Sinking (I&S) funds pay for capital improvements. Local tax dollars from property values calculated by pennies collected per $100 of property value primarily provided funding for each budget. Since 2019, operating costs like salaries, supplies, and fuel continue to rise, while the state funding for school operations has not kept pace.
Due to inflation, schools no longer have the same buying power they did in 2019 when the basic allotment was set at $6,160. According to the Consumer Price Index, inflation since 2019 has increased by roughly 24%. That means, in order to have the same buying power as they did in 2019, the basic allotment would need to be over $7,697.55. The Texas Legislature adjourned this most recent session without increasing the 2019 basic allotment.
Prop A FAQs
- How is the Tax Rate dropping if people vote to approve the 3 Golden Pennies?
- What will I see on the ballot?
- How will Prop A affect taxpayers who are over 65 or disabled?
- Will Prop A create more debt for Fort Stockton ISD?
- When is early voting?
- How can I check to see if I am registered/eligible to vote?
- Why is an election necessary?
- What does the loss of the Formula Transition Grant (FTG) mean for Fort Stockton ISD?
- How does the 20% Local Option Homestead Exemption (LOHE) and $100,000 Homestead Exemption impact me?
How is the Tax Rate dropping if people vote to approve the 3 Golden Pennies?
What will I see on the ballot?
How will Prop A affect taxpayers who are over 65 or disabled?
Will Prop A create more debt for Fort Stockton ISD?
When is early voting?
How can I check to see if I am registered/eligible to vote?
Why is an election necessary?
What does the loss of the Formula Transition Grant (FTG) mean for Fort Stockton ISD?
How does the 20% Local Option Homestead Exemption (LOHE) and $100,000 Homestead Exemption impact me?
Voting Information
SAMPLE BALLOT
VOTING RESOURCES:
Am I registered?
Register to Vote
https://www.votetexas.gov/
ACTUAL BALLOT LANGUAGE
Fort Stockton Independent School District Proposition A
Ratifying the ad valorem tax rate of $1.04877 per $100 valuation in the Fort
Stockton Independent School District for the current year, a rate that will result in
an increase of 6.05418 percent in maintenance and operations tax revenue for the
District for the current year as compared to the preceding year, which is an
additional $1,006,252.
____ FOR
____ AGAINST
Ballot Language Explained
Ballot language can be complex. When Fort Stockton ISD voters get their ballots, they will not read how Proposition A revenue will be used or how much the state will contribute. The revenue generated by Proposition A will go toward teacher and staff stipends, and maintaining student programs.
Estimated Impact
The district’s commitment to staggering use of Bond funds is allowing Fort Stockton ISD to drop Interest & Sinking rate by more pennies then the Prop A will increase Maintenance & Operations rate if approved.
If voters approve Prop A, there will not be a total tax increase to a homestead in Fort Stockton ISD.
Total Tax Rate If Prop A is Passes - $1.0488
Over 65 Exemption
Homeowners age 65 and over or disabled who apply for and receive an exemption will not have an increase over their frozen dollar amount.