The Manor Independent School District (ISD) community has voted to approve Proposition A, a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE), held on November 5. This decision permits Manor ISD to adopt the proposed tax rate of $1.0814 per $100 of taxable value for the 2024-2025 school year, as established by the Manor ISD Board of Trustees during a special meeting on August 19.
Proposition A aims to enhance staff salaries, improve school safety, and expand mental health support for students. These measures were developed after months of exploration by the Board of Trustees and following the approval of the 2024-2025 budget. With community backing, Manor ISD will now access maximum tax revenue from "golden pennies," funds not subject to recapture, ensuring they remain within the district.
The approval brings an estimated additional $4.8 million in revenue for Manor ISD, which will be allocated as follows:
- An additional 2% salary increase for all employees based on midpoint salary for the 2024-2025 school year. This results in a total raise of 3% for this school year since Trustees had approved a 1% raise in May 2024.
- Funding new school police officer positions and security equipment to strengthen campus safety.
- Financing additional social workers' salaries and expanding mental health programs for students.
With VATRE approved, staff members will receive retroactive payment.
The newly approved tax rate of $1.0814 is the lowest seen by Manor ISD since 2015. The district achieved this reduction by decreasing the portion of the tax rate dedicated to bond debt repayment through accelerated debt payments over recent years. Additionally, changes made during the state's 88th legislative session contributed to lowering the maximum compressed tax rate for the upcoming school year.
For more information about Proposition A details, please visit the district's VATRE/Prop A website or email info@manorisd.net.