Canyon Independent School District Proposes TRE to Support Strategic Growth

Canyon ISD is seeking community support for a Tax Rate Election as part of our ongoing commitment to the district’s Strategic Plan. The tax rate election would enable CISD to access additional funding from the state to continue meeting the goals set forth in our Strategic Plan, which was developed through extensive community input. The plan reflects the aspirations of our community for the future of our schools and serves as a blueprint for achieving academic excellence, supporting student growth, and ensuring a sustainable future. At the heart of this effort is our mission of empowering lifelong success for every student.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Tax Rate Election (TRE)?

State law requires that school districts seek voter approval to raise their tax rate above a prescribed amount. Canyon ISD is asking voters to consider a 3-cent increase to the district's maintenance and operations tax rate. In Texas, maintenance and operations budgets are used to fund daily operations, such as salaries, student programs and utilities.

How will the district use the additional tax dollars?

Canyon ISD will utilize the additional funds for the following areas:

• Continue to advance safety, security and armed officers at all campuses

• Continue academic excellence by maintaining all student programs

• Teacher and staff pay raises to retain a competitive and quality workforce

• Buses for additional bus routes to accommodate for growth in enrollment

• Manage all inflationary costs, especially insurance and utilities

Will my tax rate go up if I vote for the TRE?

2024 Canyon ISD Tax Rate was $0.93

2025 Proposed Canyon ISD Tax Rate is $0.9577

Approval of the tax rate would add 3 cents to the district tax rate.

In Canyon ISD, the average home is valued at $304,130. For homeowners with the $100,000 homestead exemption, the taxable value is $204,130. At this taxable value, the homeowner would see an increase in taxes of $56.54 for the year or $4.71 per month.

*If you are 65+, your taxes will not increase.
 

Since I am over 65, will my taxes remain frozen?

Yes, school taxes would remain frozen and would not increase. Citizens 65 and older who have applied for and received the over 65 exemption will see no increase in their taxes as a result of approval of the tax rate election.

When you qualify for an Over 65 or Disabled Person homestead exemption, the school taxes on your house will not increase. The homestead tax ceiling is a limit on the amount of school taxes you pay. The ceiling freezes your school taxes at the amount you pay in the year that you qualify for the exemption.

The school taxes on your house may go below the ceiling, but not above.

What does the State provide to CISD if the TRE is approved?

If Canyon ISD voters approve the $0.9577 tax rate in the November election, the State will provide additional funds to the district in the amount of $2,933,564 while the local property taxes would raise an estimated total of $2,166,011.

While the average homeowner would contribute an additional $56.54 over the prior year tax rate, the State contribution would be an additional $2,933,564 to Canyon ISD every year going forward.

What has been Canyon ISD’s tax rate in the past? 

 Canyon ISD’s tax rate is currently the lowest it has been in 12 years.

Does Canyon ISD use tax dollars wisely? 

Canyon ISD has received an “A” rating, the top score possible, in the Texas Education Agency’s Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas, or FIRST, each year since 1999 when TEA began using the FIRST rating system for school districts. 

Despite budget shortfalls, Canyon ISD has maintained a high level of student success and prioritized student experiences; however, we are now reaching a point where we can no longer sustain all programs financially.

What about Federal funds districts received during COVID? 

As with school districts across the nation, Canyon ISD received three series of one-time payments from the federal government in the form of ESSER funding. These funds existed in a finite time frame and are no longer provided; all funds are legally required to be used by September 2024. Districts received varying monetary amounts of ESSER funding based on their socioeconomic demographics. Canyon ISD received about $7 million in ESSER funding over the course of three rounds. While Canyon ISD planned for the "fiscal cliff" resulting from these funds ceasing after their initial allotment, the lack of increase in State funding for the past 5 years has been more difficult.  

Why are districts across the State doing tax rate elections?

As with most school districts across the state, Canyon ISD adopted a deficit budget for the 2024-2025 school year following legislative inaction to update an outdated school funding model. State funding for school districts has not been updated since 2019 despite substantial inflation, leading to multimillion-dollar budget shortfalls in school districts across Texas. Additionally, though they approved $4 billion in new funding for public schools in 2023, state leaders have not provided those funds to public schools.

Canyon ISD adopted a deficit budget of $5.6 million for the 2024-2025 school year to provide staff with a midpoint raise and adequately staff our rapidly growing school district. If approved by voters, a TRE would generate $5.1 million for the 2024-2025 school year and additional funding each year as the district continues to experience enrollment growth. These funds would be used to continue to improve safety and security, prioritize retaining student programs, and continue to provide teacher and staff raises.

When and where do I vote?

Early voting occurs from Monday, October 21st thru November 1st.  Election day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

CLICK HERE FOR EARLY VOTING SCHEDULE AND LOCATIONS

CLICK HERE FOR ELECTION DAY VOTING HOURS AND LOCATIONS

What will I see on the ballot when I vote?

Be sure to look for the Canyon ISD Proposition on your November 2024 ballot.  This is what you will see on the ballot:

The amount of $4,532,022 in the ballot language represents the total projected increase in local tax revenue based on the 2024 property appraisals compared to 2023. 

Notice of Election – English

Notice of Election – Spanish