Kingsville ISD Calls Nov. 4 VATRE
Net Zero Change to the KISD School Tax Rate
A VATRE does not create new debt. It creates approximately $548,112 in additional local and state funding each year for students and staff. The additional funding raised by a VATRE stays local and is available to KISD annually.
VATRE BASICS
What is a VATRE?
A VATRE is a local school funding election or Voter Approval Tax Ratification Election that asks voters whether or not they authorize the district to increase the maintenance and operations tax rate to generate additional local funding, as well as additional state funding.
$1.4104 Tax Rate, No Net Change
The Board proposes to lower the Interest & Sinking tax rate by 3.17 cents and increase the Maintenance & Operations tax rate by 3.17 with no net change to the overall school tax rate.
FUNDING PRIORITIES
How will the VATRE money be spent?
If voters approve,
the district will receive $548,112 (which includes $323,727 in local funds and $224,385 in state funding) each year to reduce the operating budget deficit by $548,112 and allow us to continue to pay competitive salaries to employees, fund safety mandates and maintain technology for the classroom.
If voters do not approve,
KISD will not have access to $548,122 (which includes $323,727 in local funds and $224,385 in state funding) each year. The district will continue to face a $4.2 deficit and will need to consider additional budget cuts.
In either scenario, the amount of tax paid by each taxpayer will not be impacted by the VATRE because the tax rate will remain the same at $1.4104 per $100 assessed valuation.
TAX IMPACT
Net Zero Change to the KISD Tax Rate
This VATRE represents no change to the overall KISD tax rate.
The VATRE calls for an increase of 3.17 cents on the Maintenance & Operations tax rate, while the Interest & Sinking tax rate will decrease by 3.17 cents. With one side of the tax rate increasing and the other side decreasing by the same amount, the result is no change to the overall school tax rate.
Tax Breakdown With and Without the VATRE Election:
If voters approve,
the tax rate will be set at $1.4104 per $100 valuation. $0.7869 for Maintenance & Operations + $0.6235 for Interest & Sinking
If voters do not approve,
the tax rate will be set at $1.4104 per $100 valuation. $0.7552 for Maintenance & Operations + $0.6552 for Interest & Sinking
Saving Taxpayers Millions
Over the last three years, the district has saved taxpayers $2.3 million in principal and interest payments and will save taxpayers another $1.3 million this year. This means that Kingsville ISD has been able to pay off debt faster and was able to lower the I&S rate with no impact on the debt reduction schedule.
VOTING DETAILS
Election Day is Tuesday, November 4
Early voting will take place at the Early Voting Annex for Kleberg County, 720 E. King St., between October 20 and 31.
Voter Registration Deadline
The deadline to register to vote in the General election is Monday, October 6, 2025. Visit www.votetexas.gov to register or check your voter eligibility.
Details About The November Ballot
The VATRE will be listed as Proposition A on the November ballot.
Voters will be asked whether or not they are FOR or AGAINST the VATRE increase but regardless of the outcome of the November vote, Kingsville ISD taxpayers will see a net zero change in the school tax rate.
By law, Texas public schools are required to include THIS IS A TAX INCREASE on the ballot. The Board of Trustees already voted to reduce the Interest & Sinking tax rate by 3.17 cents if the voters approve the VATRE. The Maintenance & Operations tax rate will increase by 3.17 cents, making this a Net Zero Change to the Tax Rate.
While the ballot language will include the full $548,112, it’s important to remember that only $323,727 comes from local taxes. The rest – about $224,385 – will come from state funding.
KINGSVILLE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
PROPOSITION A
THIS IS A TAX INCREASE*
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST
Ratifying the ad valorem tax rate of $1.4104 in Kingsville Independent School District for the current year, a rate that will result in an increase of 28.47 percent in maintenance and operations tax revenue** for the District for the current year as compared to the preceding year, which is an additional $548,112.
*Required language
**More revenue, not a tax rate change
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FAQ
A VATRE is a local school funding election or Voter Approval Tax Ratification Election that asks voters whether or not they authorize the district to access the maintenance and operations tax rate to generate additional local funding, as well as additional state funding.
VATREs can only be called during the November general election. The district is currently operating with a projected $4.2 million deficit budget. The Board proposes to lower the Interest & Sinking tax rate by 3.17 cents and increase the Maintenance & Operations tax rate by 3.17 with no net change to the overall school tax rate.
If voters approve the election, the district will receive about $323,727 in additional local funds and $224,385 in state funding every year.
If the November 4 VATRE is approved by voters, it will generate $323,727 in local funds and $224,385 in state funding each year to reduce the operating budget deficit by $548,112 and allow us to continue to pay competitive salaries to employees, fund safety mandates and maintain technology for the classroom.
If voters reject the VATRE, KISD will not have access to the $323,727 in local funds annually and will not receive the additional $224,385 in state funding each year. The district will continue to face a $4.2 million deficit and will need to consider additional budget cuts.
Since 2022, the Kingsville ISD tax rate has decreased by 10.5 cents. KISD does not set property values. Voters will not only decide whether or not to grant KISD permission to access an additional 3.17 cents in local funding through the VATRE, they will also be voting on an additional $40,000 Homestead exemption which will reduce the overall taxable value on their primary residence.
Tax Breakdown with and without the VATRE Election:
- If the VATRE is approved, the tax rate will be set at $1.4104 per $100 valuation.
- If the VATRE is rejected, the tax rate will be set at $1.4104 per $100 valuation.
The average home value in Kingsville ISD is $156,932. With the Homestead exemption, the value drops to $16,932.
Property taxes for Kingsville ISD residents 65 and older are frozen and will not be impacted by the VATRE.
The VATRE will be listed as Proposition A on the November ballot.
By law, Texas public schools are required to include THIS IS A TAX INCREASE on the ballot. However, even though this language is required, the Board of Trustees already voted to reduce the Interest & Sinking tax rate by 3.17 cents if the VATRE passes. This means although the Maintenance & Operations tax rate will increase by 3.17 cents, the 3.17-cent decrease on the I&S side makes this a Net Zero Change to the Tax Rate.
The ballot wording will say the VATRE will result in a 28.47 percent increase in the maintenance and operations tax revenue. Just to clarify, this is referring to an increase in tax revenue, not the tax rate.
No. A VATRE does not create new debt. It creates additional funding for specific purposes. The additional funding raised by a VATRE stays local and is available to KISD annually.
Over the last three years, the district has saved taxpayers $2.3 million in principal and interest payments and will save taxpayers another $1.3 million this year. This means that Kingsville ISD has been able to pay off debt faster and was able to lower the I&S rate with no impact on the debt reduction schedule.
Citizens 65 and older who have not made improvements to their homes have their taxes frozen and will not be impacted by the VATRE. Therefore there will be no tax rate increase for these senior voters or any other KISD taxpayer because the VATRE represents a net zero change to the overall school tax rate.
Early voting is both convenient and flexible. Early voting will take place at the Early Voting Annex of Kleberg County, 720 E. King St., from October 20-31.
On Election Day, you can cast your ballot at your designated precinct in Kleberg County. A link to the voting locations will be provided closer to the election date.
The deadline to register to vote in the General election is Monday, October 6, 2025. Visit https://www.votetexas.gov/ to register or check your voter eligibility.