Borger ISD outlines how a 5-cent M&O increase would unlock $1.53 million for classrooms, buildings and staff

Borger ISD official Daniel Fuller told residents at a public information session that a proposed 5-cent increase to the district's maintenance and operations (M&O) tax rate would generate an estimated $561,000 in local revenue and prompt roughly $970,000 in additional state aid, yielding about $1,531,000 annually to be allocated to five priority areas if voters approve the measure.

Fuller emphasized that the ballot language covers only the M&O portion of school finance and does not show the separate interest and sinking (I&S) portion, which the district says dropped by just over 10 cents. "This ballot language is specific to the M&O side. So it does not discuss the I and S side at all," Fuller said, adding that on net the combined tax rate would be lower than the previous year even though the M&O line item increases.

Why it matters: Fuller said the local contribution is designed to both fund specific district needs and trigger state funding that increases the district's purchasing power year after year. He gave a five-year example, saying $970,000 per year would approach $4.85 million in additional state dollars over five years.

Planned spending categories and amounts Fuller outlined five categories where the combined local and state funds would be spent and provided approximate annual allocations the district has proposed: - Early education/pre-K and daycare: $300,000 to expand pre-K access and support a…