FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas – Voters in Fort Bend County are being asked to decide on a voter-approved tax rate election (VATRE) that would increase teacher pay and help recruit teachers and staff throughout the Fort Bend Independent School District.
Through this initiative, Fort Bend ISD is hoping to raise about $35 million.
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According to Fort Bend ISD, it would offer $2,500 raises for teachers and create a differentiated pay step scale that can be found below:
- Staff on the teacher pay scale on steps 1-9 will receive a permanent $2,500 increase to their pay
- Staff on the teacher pay scale on steps 10-14 will receive a permanent $3,250 increase to their pay
- Staff on the teacher pay scale on steps 15-19 will receive a permanent $4,250 increase to their pay
- Staff on the teacher pay scale on steps 20-24 will receive a permanent $5,500 increase to their pay
- Staff on the teacher pay scale on steps 25 and beyond will receive a permanent $7,000 increase to their pay
Pay for bus drivers and teacher aids would get bumped by $1.50 per hour.
The measure would also provide funds so there are security officers at all elementary school campuses.
How would this affect your tax bill?
If the VATRE is approved, the tax rate would be $0.9892 for every $100 of property valuation. Residents tax bills would be $989 per year or $82 per month per $100,000 of valuation.
Without the VATRE, the tax rate would be about $949 per year or $79 per month per 100,000 of valuation. A tax bill would increase by $3 per month for every $100,000 of valuation.
Property taxes would not increase for homeowners that are 65 and older or people with disabilities, if they have received an over 65 homestead exemption.
If you’re registered to vote, you can head to the polls on Nov. 7. To find voting locations and sample ballots, go here.