Huffman ISD 2026 VATRE Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Huffman ISD calling for a VATRE?

Huffman ISD is currently working to address a budget deficit and balance the district's operating budget.

Like school districts across Texas, Huffman ISD is facing increasing costs for salaries, utilities, insurance, transportation, safety and security, and other day-to-day operations.

The district has taken steps to reduce expenditures and identify efficiencies; however, reductions alone may not be enough to close the budget gap without affecting employees, programs and services.

If approved, the VATRE is projected to generate approximately $2 million in additional recurring annual revenue. This funding would help Huffman ISD:

• Reduce the district's budget deficit and work toward a balanced budget.
• Support competitive employee compensation and the recruitment and retention of quality staff.
• Protect instructional programs and student opportunities.
• Maintain safe and secure campuses.
• Address increasing day-to-day operating costs.

The VATRE provides voters an opportunity to decide whether to approve the additional three M&O pennies and the recurring revenue they would generate for district operations.

 

How many pennies is Huffman ISD proposing?

Huffman ISD is proposing a three-cent increase to the Maintenance & Operations (M&O) tax rate.

If approved by voters, the three additional pennies are estimated to generate approximately $2 million in additional annual revenue for Huffman ISD.

A VATRE is required for a school district to access certain M&O tax-rate pennies above the amount allowed without voter approval under state law.

How does the district plan to use the additional revenue if the VATRE is approved?

Huffman ISD has identified several priorities for the additional recurring revenue:

• Reduce the district's budget deficit and strengthen long-term financial stability.

• Support competitive employee compensation to help recruit and retain quality teachers and staff.

• Protect instructional programs and student opportunities currently offered throughout the district.

• Maintain safe and secure campuses and support the ongoing operational costs associated with school safety.

Because VATRE revenue is recurring, the funds may be used for ongoing operating expenses such as salaries, instructional programs, utilities, transportation, safety and other day-to-day district expenses.

Will the VATRE create more debt for Huffman ISD?

No. A VATRE and a bond election serve different purposes.

A bond election authorizes a school district to issue debt for approved capital projects.

A VATRE asks voters to approve a Maintenance & Operations tax rate that generates additional annual operating revenue. A VATRE does not authorize the district to issue bonds or create new bond debt.

How does a VATRE impact homeowners age 65 or older?

Texas law provides a school property tax ceiling, or "freeze," on a qualifying residence homestead for homeowners who are age 65 or older or disabled.

Generally, once a homeowner qualifies, the amount of school district taxes on the qualifying homestead cannot increase above the applicable tax ceiling. Certain circumstances, including improvements to the property, can affect the tax ceiling.

Homeowners should contact the Harris Central Appraisal District regarding their individual exemption and tax-ceiling status.

What determines how much I pay in property taxes?

Your school property tax bill is determined by both your property's taxable value and the school district's tax rate.

A property's market or appraised value is determined by the appraisal district—not Huffman ISD. Applicable exemptions, including the residence homestead exemption, are then used to determine the property's taxable value.

The district's tax rate is applied to that taxable value to calculate the school district portion of the property tax bill.

How much would the three-cent increase cost me?

The actual dollar impact will depend on your property's taxable value after applicable exemptions.

Huffman ISD will provide a VATRE Tax Calculator on the district website so property owners can enter their home value and estimate the difference between the tax rate if the VATRE passes and the tax rate if it does not pass.

Didn't we just vote for a bond election?

Yes. Huffman ISD voters approved the 2023 Bond Election, but bond funds and VATRE funds serve different purposes under Texas law.

The 2023 Bond provides funding for approved capital projects, including construction, renovations, facility improvements and other long-term investments.

The 2026 VATRE concerns the district's Maintenance & Operations (M&O) tax rate, which supports the district's day-to-day operating expenses, including employee compensation, instructional programs, utilities, transportation, safety and other ongoing costs.

Money approved through a bond election cannot simply be moved into the district's operating budget.

Why can VATRE funds be used for teacher and staff salaries when bond funds cannot?

Texas school district tax revenue is generally divided between two major purposes:

Interest & Sinking (I&S)

The I&S tax rate supports the repayment of voter-approved bond debt.

Bond proceeds are used for authorized capital expenditures such as construction, renovations, major facility improvements, technology infrastructure, buses and other eligible long-term assets.

Bond proceeds cannot be used to pay regular teacher or staff salaries or the district's routine operating expenses.

Maintenance & Operations (M&O)

The M&O tax rate supports the district's day-to-day operations.

M&O revenue pays for expenses such as:

• Teacher and staff compensation

• Instructional programs and materials

• Utilities

• Transportation

• Insurance

• Safety and security

• Other regular operating expenses

The three pennies included in the 2026 VATRE would be part of Huffman ISD's M&O tax rate, which is why the additional revenue could be used for employee compensation and other recurring operating expenses.

What happens if the VATRE passes?

If voters approve the VATRE, Huffman ISD would adopt the voter-approved tax rate and is projected to receive approximately $2 million in additional recurring annual revenue.

Those funds would become part of the district's operating revenue and could be used for the priorities identified by the district, including reducing the budget deficit, employee compensation, student programs and safety and security.

What happens if the VATRE does not pass?

If the VATRE is not approved, Huffman ISD would not receive the approximately $2 million in additional annual revenue associated with the three proposed pennies.

The district would continue operating under the tax rate permitted without voter approval and would evaluate its budget, expenditures, staffing, programs and other operating costs based on the revenue available.