VATRE 2023

  • vote

     

    The last day to register to vote is Tuesday, October 10, 2023. Not sure if you are registered to vote? Click here to confirm your voting status. 

    Early voting in the November election is October 23 - November 3, 2023. 

    The deadline to vote by mail is October 27, 2023.

  • On August 21, 2023 the Cedar Hill Independent School District Board of Trustees voted to place a Voter Approved Tax Rate Election (VATRE) on the November 7, 2023 ballot. The VATRE would generate approximately $6.8 million annually to Cedar Hill ISD and fund 3 district priorities: Safe & Secure Classrooms, Recruit & Retain Quality Staff and Protect Financial Stability.

     PRIORTIES

  • safe

    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.

  • TEACHERS

    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)

  • finance

    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)

    • 5% raise for all CHISD staff (2022-23 budget, previously supplemented from now-exhausted federal grant funds)