Rockwall ISD sets proposed tax rate, calls November VATRE and adopts compensation plan contingent on voter approval

The Rockwall Independent School District Board of Trustees on Aug. 18 set a proposed total tax rate that will require a voter approval tax-ratification election in November and approved a compensation schedule that would take effect if voters ratify the rate.

Board President Frank Consselman opened the public hearing on the district's proposed 2025-26 budget and tax rate and turned the presentation to David Carter, who reviewed certified property values, tax-rate compression rules and the district's compensation proposal.

Carter said the district's final certified taxable value rose to about $16.1 billion and that an anticipated homestead-exemption change would reduce the adjusted taxable roll to about $15.4 billion, producing adjusted growth under 2.5 percent and removing the typical maintenance-and-operations (M&O) compression. He summarized the administration's tax recommendation as a proposed M&O rate of 0.7869 and an interest-and-sinking (I&S) rate of 0.28 for a total proposed rate of $1.0669 per $100 of assessed value, a 4-cent net increase from last year's rate of $1.0269. "The average taxes on the average home ... would increase by $160 per year, roughly about $13 a month," Carter said.

The presentation noted the VATRE request is the full 12 cents a district may legally ask voters for on the M&O side; because the district restructured debt and lowered its I&S need, the net change to taxpayers would be about 4 cents.

Why it matters: Trustees and multiple public speakers framed the VATRE as a bid to address staffing and program shortfalls. Public commenters'many of them teachers'urged approval to increase pay and retain experienced staff. Noelle Cummings, a 21-year Rockwall ISD teacher, told the board, "A yes vote on the VATRE means that we can maintain and, in some cases, restore vital programs and staffing that directly impact our students." Several other speakers described turnover and the district's pay gap versus comparison districts.

What the board approved: After the public hearing and discussion, trustees voted 7-0 to approve (a) the resolution setting the proposed fiscal-year 2025–26 tax rate that exceeds the voter-approval threshold, (b) an order calling a special joint election for the VATRE, and (c) the district's 2026–27 salary and compensation plan contingent on voter approval of the VATRE. The board also approved related finance items required by the Texas Education Agency, including an option 3 wealth-equalization plan (purchase of attendance credits) and a delegation of authority to the superintendent to submit required agreements to TEA.

Compensation details and timing: The board and administration described teacher compensation as three buckets: pay included in House Bill 2 (state funds, varying by years of service), a Board-approved 3 percent raise previously adopted for next year, and the proposed VATRE local adjustments. If voters approve the VATRE, the administration said the district would provide a one-time incentive payment corresponding to the VATRE increase in November, then roll that increase into permanent pay for 2026–27. The district estimated the VATRE pay adjustments would range roughly from $3,000 to more than $5,800 by years of experience; combined with state and board-approved increases, total increases across the three buckets range "anywhere from $4,500 up to just shy of $13,000," Carter said. The administration also proposed using VATRE dollars to restore parity for positions excluded under HB2 (for example, librarians, nurses and instructional coaches) and estimated roughly 115 positions had been excluded from HB2 funding.

Board action and vote counts: The motion to set the tax rate and adopt the related resolution passed on a voice/hand vote recorded as 7-0. The motion to call the special election (the VATRE) passed 7-0. The motion to adopt the 2026-27 compensation plan, contingent on VATRE approval, passed 7-0. Several other finance motions related to TEA reporting and local compliance also passed by recorded votes (counts noted below).

What the approvals do not do: The board's action set a proposed rate and authorized the VATRE; it does not change current pay until and unless voters ratify the VATRE. The compensation plan approved by the board is contingent on the VATRE and was described as being posted publicly to provide transparency to staff and the community.

Next steps: The VATRE will be placed on the November ballot as a joint special election if election officials proceed as outlined; the district said it will continue community outreach and post detailed compensation charts on the district website. If voters approve, the district plans the one-time incentive in November and implementation of the new base salaries for 2026-27.

Votes at a glance (board-recorded tallies): set tax-rate resolution: 7-0; order calling VATRE special election: 7-0; adopt compensation plan (contingent): 7-0; option 3 wealth-equalization plan (purchase of attendance credits): 7-0; delegation of authority to superintendent to execute TEC chapter 49 agreements: 7-0.

Sources: District presentations and public comments at the Aug. 18, 2025 Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees meeting; statements and figures presented by Mr. Carter and by public commenters.