Tyler ISD cuts tax rate and increases staff compensation

TYLER, Texas (Press Release) — At its monthly meeting on Monday, the Tyler ISD Board of Directors approved the proposed general fund budget for the 2022-2023 school year.

Tyler ISD, the region’s largest school district, will enter the new school year with a budget of more than $169.5 million, which includes a net increase in funding of approximately $3.1 million. This increase comes from a healthy growth in the district’s property tax.

In a tax swap compromise, the Texas Legislature agreed to increase its share of school funding while squeezing property tax rates. The district maintenance and operation tax rate will increase from $0.9541 per $100 of assessed value to $0.8793, with the total district tax rate increasing from $1.2891 per $100 of assessed value at $1.1793. That figure includes the district’s interest and amortization rate, which fell just 3.5 cents, and is the portion taxpayers vote on in bond elections.

“The school board and the district administration believe that we have reached a point where we could go further in reducing the rates for which the school system is responsible; we have presented our 2022 bond as such and are proud to be able to go further than promised, reducing the debt ratio beyond the penny we committed last spring,” said Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford. “We are blessed to have the facilities bestowed on us over the past two decades, and grateful voters approved the Hubbard Middle School-Early College High School tie in May. While we have expertly managed our debt obligations under longtime CFO Tosha Bjork, it is time to work even harder on our debt, continuing to reduce our share, market permitting, of what is already one of the lowest, if not the lowest. aggregate tax rates between ISDs/cities/counties/university districts in the state compared to counties that share our characteristics.

The district will realize an approximately 11.7% net increase in assessed value in its taxable area, which covers the city of Tyler and large parts of Smith County, according to values ​​recently certified by the County Assessment District. of Smith.

“While the assessed value has increased by just over 10%, school systems are not realizing all of this because they are capped by law,” Dr. Crawford said. “Even though we are inside this inflationary peak, because of the way we run our tax program, we can still live comfortably within our means, not cut student-related programs, and provide our teachers and our staff pay increases as we have done. from a decade. »

The state’s share of funding will now represent approximately 34.8% of the district’s budget, and the local share will represent 64.1%.

The net increase in funds will allow the district to increase teacher salaries and expand safety and security measures throughout the district.

Starting salaries for teachers will increase from $48,750 to $50,000, and teachers with one to five years of experience will receive raises of $1,500. Teachers with six years of experience will receive a raise of $1,250. Teachers with seven to 39 years of experience will receive increases of $1,000 and teachers with 40 years of experience will receive $465. Teachers with more than 40 years of service are capped. RNs will also get a base raise to $50,000.

Administrative and professional staff will receive a 2% midpoint salary increase, and annualized hourly staff, paraprofessionals and manual trades will receive a 3% midpoint increase.

The minimum and maximum salaries for these positions will also be increased. The minimum base hourly rate will be $12. The district will also try to incentivize bus drivers and mechanics with 2% median raises.

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