Rollback Election Day is November 22

Looks like tomorrow is the last day for early voting and election day is Saturday, November 22.

This election allows voters to decide whether or not to increase the Maintenance and Operations tax rate by 13 cents to $1.17 giving Humble ISD a total tax rate of $1.52. Our total tax rate in 2005 was $1.77! Approval means that Humble ISD will not need to make reductions beyond the $9 million already cut for this school year. Voter approval means that Humble ISD will receive about $17 million needed to balance the budget this year. Since about 87% of the school district’s budget is personnel, these funds would be used for salaries and to keep existing programs in place. Read Dr. Sconzo’s entire message.

For much more information go to Humble ISD’s website.

To raise or not to raise taxes…that is the question!

Well, the Dallas News reported that more than half of Texas school districts that sought to raise their property tax rates on Tuesday were turned down by their voters in what may have been a reflection of uncertainty about the economy. I certainly am not holding my breath for Humble, or any other districts which have not held elections. Austin and Corpus Christi (two of the state’s largest districts) – were among those that gave approval to hike their rates, but only slightly. Interesting:

In all, 106 districts have gone to their voters this fall to request higher tax rates, according to figures compiled by TexasISD.com. About 60 percent received approval as districts that scheduled elections in September and October did better than those that waited until the general election.

Remember Early voting will be Nov. 5-7 and 10-14, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Nov. 17-18, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at these locations: Humble City Hall/Council Chamber, 114 W. Higgins Street, Humble 77338 – Humble ISD Administration Building 20200 Eastway Village Drive, Humble 77338 – Humble ISD Instructional Support Center (ISC) 4810 Magnolia Cove Drive, Kingwood 77345

Vote on Rollback election — Humble ISD

Ok, I’ve been torn on whether to vote for this or not, seriously. I do understand the implications if we don’t vote on this, (more cut backs, serious cut backs.) But I also see the other side, our taxes go up, well, that’s about it. Well, not really. One reason I’ve been torn, I have seen expenditures (IMHO) that I do not agree with. I’ve seen cutbacks that I feel should not have been cut out, (technology) and others that should have been, (some higher administrative positions, expensive phones in all the rooms at the new schools, elaborate decorating at some of the make overs and new schools, just to name a few.) Ok, I’ve said it! Just places I don’t agree with.

Now, back to the funding crisis/rollback election. It was pointed out to me last night from a friend that if we put ourselves at the cap, we will have leverage against the state, possibly to sue them (again) to force their hand (again) to fund the schools, and not put this so heavily on the taxpayers. For more (from Humble ISD website) on this important election:

A message from Humble ISD Superintendent Guy Sconzo: “Our Humble ISD theme this year is “No Challenge is Too Great for Us”. Little did I know how appropriate this would be for us what with Hurricane Ike hitting the gulf coast soon after school opened – and now a tax rate rollback election coming up in a few days.
I am thankful that our schools escaped serious damage, and as you may already know, we broke attendance records when school resumed after Ike. It was as if the community gave a collective sigh of relief that life truly was getting back to normal when our school re-opened.

It also appears that our community and employees give every indication of understanding the need for a tax rate election given the financial crisis brought on by the Texas Legislature when it adopted a finance system (House Bill 1) that froze school funding at 2005-06 levels.

HB 1 has:

• Frozen funding at level school districts received in 2005-06
• Frozen inequitable differences in Weighted Average Daily Attendance (WADA) funding from one school district to the next. For example, if Humble ISD $4,987 WADA) received the same WADA per child as Katy ISD ($5,174), it would mean an additional $9.2 million for our schools in 2008-09
• Ignored the fact that costs for fuel, utilities, employee salaries, insurance, etc., continue to rise
• Provides no inflation factor for operating revenue
• Established a system where the state takes away a dollar of state aid for every local school tax dollar gained from increased property valuations and new property on the tax roll

Add to that the knowledge that the state’s transportation allotment has not increased since 1984 when gas was $1.13 per gallon and you have the makings of a financial crisis for schools across the state. By the end of this fall, more than 200 school districts will have had rollback elections. That’s with only two years of HB 1 in place!

This tax rate rollback election allows voters to decide whether or not to increase the Maintenance and Operations tax rate by 13 cents to $1.17 giving Humble ISD a total tax rate of $1.52. Our total tax rate in 2005 was $1.77! Approval means that Humble ISD will not need to make reductions beyond the $9 million already cut for this school year. Voter approval means that Humble ISD will receive about $17 million needed to balance the budget this year. Since about 87% of the school district’s budget is personnel, these funds would be used for salaries and to keep existing programs in place. Read more…..

Humble ISD’s election will be on Nov. 22.
Early voting begins Nov. 5.

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See complete information about this election, including FAQs, early voting details, and polling locations, your questions answered (new questions/answers added 10/30)…

There is only one Town Hall meeting left to get the scoop about this important election:

• 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at Humble High School Auditorium, 1700 Wilson Road

Voting on “rollback” elections

Things certainly are gearing up, educational wise. And I’m not just talking about school starting. Much abuzz with budgets (or should I say cuts) going on, on an ongoing basis (say that three times fast,) gun toting teachers, drumming up dollars by advertising on buses and the like, building and opening of new schools (major growth,) and of course, the dreaded “rollback” elections that are about to commence. The decision to increase the tax will go to voters most likely after the November general elections because the districts did not receive their certified tax values from the county appraisal district in time for the deadline. There is still no firm commitment by our district, and some others, as to whether or not it will be become an issue, but everything sure seems to point to that happening.

I’m hearing a lot of buzz that it might not pass. I too have struggled with this. I’m seeing a lot of funds misappropriated, clubs and organizations being funded by the district that should not have been funded by the district, and more. But, and considering I lost my job because of budget cuts, many more will go by the wayside due to more cuts. Our district is not the same as it was when we moved here almost to the day, 10 years ago.

It’s being reported that we, Alief and North Forest are expected to vote this week on whether or not to hold the elections. Austin, Corpus Christi have already made the decision this week, and Galena Park is the only district that sought an increase last year, and it passed, which is surprising to me.

Here is an editorial to help understanding of the school roll-back elections.