HISD Trustees Say No to Tax increase.

It is good to see the trustees of a tax entity as large as HISD say no to increasing taxes. However some of the comments and programs that the 1.4 Billion (Yes Billion) Dollar budget have in it are highly questionable. First comments from the Superintendent.

"In the long run, it's a budget I can work with," Saavedra said after the lively three-hour meeting

Then there was this on the "tax relief bill".

"The taxpayers deserve that we have a plan," board President Diana Davila said."We didn't get the right answers."
The property tax relief bill, passed by the Legislature earlier this year, gives all of the state's 1,040 school districts the discretion to raise taxes by 4 cents over the next two years. The state even agreed to match part of the increase.

I have a question, how can legislation be called a tax relief bill if it all but encourages school districts to RAISE TAX RATES.

The 4-cent increase would have meant $32 million in local property tax revenue and $12 million in matching state money.
For HISD, Some districts, such as Dallas, Spring and Clear Creek, have vowed to decline the money so that property tax relief is passed on to property owners.
Others, including Humble, jumped at the chance to receive matching state money.
"Though I certainly can understand wanting to explore the option of a lower tax rate, it would cause us to make cuts that would dramatically impact students and learning," said Humble Superintendent Guy Sconzo, whose board agreed Thursday to a budget predicated on the full 4-cent increase.
Saavedra also had pressed his district to approve the rate hike, saying that HISD spends just $8,546 a year on each student, $370 less than the state average and several thousand less than some area suburban districts.

OK, 4 cents would bring in 44 million more in revenue. To go where? Then this nearly floored me...HISD is "Spending" JUST $8,546 per child? If that is so then why am I sending my kids to private school and paying about that much as well? I'll tell you why, WASTEFUL Spending.

Though union leaders said they're glad teachers got their raises, they said they're disappointed that trustees didn't vote to increase taxes to pay for much-needed technology and building repairs.
"They made an irresponsible vote," said Andy Dewey, vice president of the Houston Federation of Teachers. "The board did not show that they were friends of teachers or students tonight."

Then of course the unions have to chime in about not getting enough at the expense of the citizens of the district.

Bravo to the Board for now bowing down to the lure of free money and have decided to work with the funds that are now available.