A Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) is a special election called by the Board of Trustees that allows voters to decide whether to approve a change in the District’s maintenance and operations (M & O) tax structure. This school funding measure increases the maintenance and operations revenue by allowing access to additional state and local funds.

Voters will see “Proposition A” on the November 3^rd ballot. Proposition A is the official ballot language for the VATRE.

JEFFERSON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT - PROPOSITION A

THIS IS A TAX INCREASE. Ratifying the ad valorem tax rate of $0.7294 per $100 valuation in Jefferson Independent School District for the current year, a rate that will result in an increase of 3.02 percent in maintenance and operations tax revenue for the district for the current year as compared to the preceding year, which is an additional $161,256.

The VATRE would generate approximately $670,000 in additional revenue annually. For every $1 raised locally, the state contributes approximately $2.50. The local contribution is approximately 31% while the state enhancement contributes the remaining 69%.

The overall tax rate would be less one penny ($0.0078 per $100 vaulation) more than the 2025 – 2026 total tax rate.

JISD is currently ranked the 6^th lowest taxed of 132 area districts in Regions 7 and 8.  If passed, JISD would rank the 10^th lowest. 

JISD is currently experiencing a funding gap. The following challenges have made it difficult to operate. As a result, Jefferson ISD is facing an over $500,000 budget deficit for the 2026-2027 school year.

• State Funding for public education has not kept pace with inflation. The basic allotment, the per-student funding amount set by the state, remained unchanged in Texas for six years, even as costs increased. To keep pace with inflation, the allotment would have needed to increase by roughly $1,800 per student. The most recent legislative session only approved a $55 increase.

• Inflation: $1 in 2019 is worth $0.69 in 2026. All inclusive inflation has increased 31% since 2019. Public school districts are facing financial pressures as costs for all goods and services related to public education have risen at an unprecedented rate. This inflation has created a wide funding gap that the basic allotment has not kept pace with.

• Unfunded and underfunded mandates. The state routinely requires districts to implement mandates, such as employee compensation, technology, special education services, transportation, and safety measures. Many state mandates are unfunded or underfunded, placing additional financial strains on districts.

JISD’s perfect financial accountability rating for the last 20 years and the results of the recent efficiency audit show the District manages the tax dollars provided by the community responsibly.

Expenditure Reductions

• Conservative Spending (Financial Integrity Rating of 100 (Superior) for the last 20 years)
• Significant staff reductions
• W.F. Lockett Education Center has been repurposed to reduce costs
• Consolidation of transportation routes
• Ensured the best prices on labor, goods, and services
• Streamlined operations for efficiency

Revenue Generation

• Engaged in partnerships with neighboring districts
• Consistently taken advantage of grant opportunities

If passed, this measure would:

• Generate approximately $670,000 annually in additional state & local revenue
• Result in an overall tax rate that would be less than 1 penny ($0.0078 per $100 valuation) more than the 25-26 total tax rate
• Help JISD maximize the education provided to students and improve overall academic performance
  • Grow our academic programs and opportunities
  • Help support the new JISD certified teacher pay scale
    • The enhanced JISD payscale was implemented to attract and retain the best teachers for our students. The new certified teacher payscale moves our certified teachers from some of the lowest compensated in the area to the most competitively compensated. The new scale has already proven to attract more quality educators for our students.
• A small percentage of the funds would be used to support consistent facilities maintenance, extending the life of our facilities well into the future.

Without additional funding:

• JISD will not be able to access the approximately $670,000 in new revenue.
• The district will consider additional reductions in staff.
• The district will consider a reduction in programs.
• JISD will operate in a deficit of over $500,000.

Deadline to register to vote: October 5, 2026

Early voting: October 19 – 30, 2026

Election Day: November 3, 2026

For voter information, please visit Marion County Tax Office website via the button below:

Voter Registration