AISD Board Votes No to Property Tax Increase

Monday evening Austin Independent School District ("AISD") board members voted down a measure that would have allowed a tax election this November. The property tax increase on the ballot would have funded a three percent raise for teacher salaries, a pre-kindergarten program, and a one-time investment to East Austin schools.

Lack of support was likely the reason for the board voting down the measure. AISD Board Member Annette LoVoi told News8Austin prior to voting, "What we've learned is that there's not a consensus in the community to move forward with any kind of tax increase."

Education Austin, a union of public school employees, also stated lack of community support in reversing its backing of the property tax increase. Instead the union will be advocating the district pursue federal funding. About $17.5 million in federal education employment funding is supposedly working its way to AISD, but as Superintendent Carstarphen told the trustees, "We can't be sure until we see it."

AISD's current operating tax rate is $1.079 per $100 of assessed property value.