VATRE Information
The Calhoun County ISD Board of Trustees approved an order to call for a Voter-Approved Tax Ratification Election (VATRE) to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
The VATRE will ask voters to consider a $0.03 increase to the district’s Maintenance and Operations (M&O) tax rate, from $0.6754 to $0.7054 per $100 of property value.
The proposed VATRE applies only to the district’s M&O tax rate. However, the district’s total tax rate for 2026 also reflects a two-cent decrease in the Interest and Sinking (I&S) rate and a continued reduction in the M&O tax rate resulting from state-mandated tax rate compression. As a result, if voters approve the proposed VATRE, the district’s total tax rate would increase by $0.0024, or approximately one-quarter of a cent, compared to last year’s total rate.
The proposed VATRE is estimated to generate $1.5 million in annual funding for Calhoun County ISD that would remain with the district and not be subject to state recapture.
The proposed VATRE is part of the district’s strategy to address budget shortfalls, maintain employee compensation, and support student programs, instructional supplies, and essential operating expenses.
Comparing with VATRE vs. without VATRE
Comparing Tax Year 2025 to 2026
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 (Spanish) Tax Compa… (1)_1787342188.png)
What Will I See On The Ballot?
Calhoun County Independent School District - Proposition A
THIS IS A TAX INCREASE
Ratifying the ad valorem tax rate of $0.7725 per $100 valuation in Calhoun County Independent
School District for the current year, a rate that will result in an increase of 3.37 percent in
maintenance and operations tax revenue for the District for the current year as compared to the
preceding year, which is an additional $1,520,535.
[_] For
[_] Against
Distrito Escolar Independiente del Condado de Calhoun - Proposición A
ESTO ES UN AUMENTO DE IMPUESTOS
Ratificar la tasa impositiva ad valorem de $0.7725 por cada $100 de valuación en el Distrito
Escolar Independiente del Condado de Calhoun para el año en curso, una tasa que resultará en un
aumento del 3.37 por ciento en los ingresos por impuestos de mantenimiento y operaciones para
el Distrito para el año en curso en comparación con el año anterior, lo que representa $1,520,535
adicionales.
[_] A Favor
[_] En Contra
-
Calhoun County Independent School District - Proposition A
THIS IS A TAX INCREASE
Ratifying the ad valorem tax rate of $0.7725 per $100 valuation in Calhoun County Independent
School District for the current year, a rate that will result in an increase of 3.37 percent in
maintenance and operations tax revenue for the District for the current year as compared to the
preceding year, which is an additional $1,520,535.
[_] For
[_] Against -
Distrito Escolar Independiente del Condado de Calhoun - Proposición A
ESTO ES UN AUMENTO DE IMPUESTOS
Ratificar la tasa impositiva ad valorem de $0.7725 por cada $100 de valuación en el Distrito
Escolar Independiente del Condado de Calhoun para el año en curso, una tasa que resultará en un
aumento del 3.37 por ciento en los ingresos por impuestos de mantenimiento y operaciones para
el Distrito para el año en curso en comparación con el año anterior, lo que representa $1,520,535
adicionales.
[_] A Favor
[_] En Contra
FAQs
-
A VATRE allows voters to decide whether to increase Calhoun County ISD’s M&O property tax rate, thereby increasing property tax revenues to be used for CCISD’s maintenance and operations. The election requires a majority vote to adopt the increased M&O rate.
The M&O tax rate is part of the overall property tax rate and is used primarily for the day-to-day operations of schools, including salaries, utilities, and supplies.
These funds would stay within the school district and cannot be taken away by the state's recapture system.
-
A VATRE would provide:
- Recurring funding to protect the instructional programs and opportunities we offer to our students.
- Provide instructional supplies to students.
- Maintain essential operations and district wide maintenance.
- Assist in improving employee compensation.
- Aid in recruitment and retention and attract qualified educators. -
No. Unlike a school bond election, a VATRE does not create new debt. It creates additional funding for specific purposes. The additional funding raised by a VATRE stays local and is available to CCISD annually.
-
The increase would be approximately 3 pennies ($0.6754 to $0.7054 per $100 of taxable property valuation).
This increase will generate and estimated $1.5 million dollars for Calhoun County ISD.
However, last year’s taxable value rate has been decreased by 2 cents because of the I&S rate and state comperession.
Compared to last year’s rate, the rate including VATRE would increase 0.024, approximately a quarter of a penny.
2025
M&O rate = 0.6822
I&S rate = 0.0879
Total CCISD tax rate = 0.77012026
M&O rate = 0.6754
I&S rate = 0.0671
Total CCISD tax rate = 0.7425
Rate with 3 cent VATRE = 0.7725County Apprraisal Value $200,000.00 CCISD Opitional Local HS exemption 20% – $ 40,000.00 Texas Homestead Exemption – $140,000.00 $ 20,000.00 Taxable Value
Approximate Annual Increase $0.48
Approximate Monthly Increase $0.04
* Example is standard exemptions - Other Homestead exemptions may apply -
School budgets and tax rates are made up of two parts and can only be used for specific types of expenses:
Maintenance and Operation (M&O)
- Salaries
- Utilities
- SuppliesInterest and Sinking (I&S)
- Construction
- Repairs
- Technology
-
Qualifying homeowners who are aged 65 and older will not be impacted by VATRE, provided they have properly applied for and received the Over 65 Homestead Exemption through their local appraisal district.
Information on Homestead Exemptions and forms can be found here:
Calhoun County Appraisal District