This is a turning point for the future of the Cedar Hill Independent School District! 

Unofficial election results from Dallas County Elections show our voter approved tax rate election (VATRE) passed; now CHISD has the funds needed to give all educators a raise and hire additional police officers to serve our elementary campuses.  The CHISD Board of Trustees and leaders want to express our sincere appreciation to all members of the Cedar Hill community who participated in the voting process. Your engagement and commitment to the well-being of our children are truly commendable.  

Thank you to the City of Cedar Hill Mayor Stephen Mason, city staff, council members & their education committee for formally endorsing the district's VATRE. Thank you as well to the City of Cedar Hill Chamber of Commerce, All-Pro Dads, PTA Council and the other active community groups who endorsed and supported this ballot proposition. 

Cedar Hill ISD remains dedicated to transparency and accountability in managing the additional funds, and we will keep our community informed about how the funds are being used.  With Tuesday night's election results, our young people are truly the big winners. By voting "for" in this election, you showed your support for our learners, teachers and education in Cedar Hill.

- Dr. Gerald B. Hudson, Superintendent

House Bill 3 is a new state law that takes effect on September 1. The law requires districts to provide an armed security officer at each school – but the new law did not come with enough financial assistance to pay for implementation. If approved by voters, the VATRE would supply the $623,200 needed to hire additional officers and ensure CHISD is compliant with the new school safety legislation.

Currently, Cedar Hill ISD has the lowest starting teacher salary in the Best Southwest, at just $57,000. The district has spent the last 5 years tracking teacher retention and resignations. Data shows that 53% of CHISD teachers will leave the district within 2 years, and the number one reason they leave the district is due to Pay or Promotion.

Cedar Hill ISD’s teacher turnover rate is 28% compared to the state average of 13%.

If approved by voters, CHISD will use $2.2 million to provide a mid-year stipend to be given to staff in January 2024. Proposed stipends and raises include:

• $2,500 stipend with benefits for all teachers, counselors, librarians & nurses ($1.18M)

• $1,000 stipend with benefits for all staff including bus drivers, custodians, paraprofessionals and other support staff ($1.05M)

Cedar Hill ISD works diligently to be a good fiscal steward of taxpayers’ dollars.  The district has combed through the budget and made $1.21 million in cuts in staff reductions and identifying positions and programs that could be funded through grants or federal funds.   

The state has not added adequate new money to public schools despite rising costs due to inflation.  Without additional funding, it will be even more challenging for CHISD to provide competitive compensation to CHISD teachers and staff. With the passage of the VATRE, CHISD will have the resources to sustain previous salary increases from 2022-2023 as a result of inflation:

• 3% raise for all teachers (2023-24 budget)

• 1% raise for all CHISD staff (2023-24 budget)