Stafford's school district is asking voters to approve a tax rate increase that would fund raises for staff and help maintain school district programs.
If approved, the measure would increase the rate by 12 cents. Texas voters are also expected to pass a measure that would increase the state homestead exemption, offsetting some of the cost of the increase.
If both measures pass, the tax rate would be about $1.03 per $100 of property valuation.
"That additional 12 cents will help to restore some of our programming that we have and possibly provide some salary incentives for our staff that have not received a raise or anything like that, not only in this year but even in the past year," said Stafford MSD superintendent Robert Bostic.
The tax rate increase would help fund existing initiatives such as an associate’s degree program for high school students and various technology programs.
The school district has said it's seen increased costs during inflation, along with unexpected expenses during covid.
"If it does not pass, then we would continue to have programs that would be impacted ... and then we will have staff positions that we will continue to eliminate," Bostic said.
Stafford is not the only school district with initiatives on Fort Bend ballots this year. Fort Bend ISD is also asking voters to approve a tax rate increase for staff pay raises. Katy ISD is proposing the largest bond in its history, and Lamar CISD has also proposed a bond that would fund stadium repairs.
Stafford's school district will hold a town hall about the proposed tax rate increase at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 2 on Zoom and Facebook Live.