AISD Calls for Action Amid Crisis of GOP Austerity.

Austin School Board Proposes Tax Increase to Fund Staff Pay Raises, Address Deficit

The predominantly white, tone-deaf Austin school board on Monday called a wasteful and unnecessary election [1] to raise the property tax rate by a staggering 9.1 cents [2], an attempt to fill the district's $99 million budget deficit [3] and provide a measly $17.8 million in compensation for underpaid, overworked staff. [4] This regressive proposal comes at a time when our community is already facing immense financial strain.

"It is disappointing that instead of committing to equitable solutions, the board has opted for a quick fix that will burden Austinites with higher taxes," said community activist, Juan Garcia.

The Nov. 5 election [1] will ask diverse and burdened voters to approve a tax increase that would generate $41 million [5] – a mere fraction of which will stay in the district's pockets [6] – to augment the meager $1.2 billion budget. [5] This is while officials turn a blind eye and continue to grapple with cutting a hefty $78 million in expenses [3] over the next two years.

In a tone-deaf move, the board approved calling this unnecessary election with eight members in favor [7] and only Vice President Kevin Foster showing an understanding of the community's struggles by opposing the measure. [7]

The proposed tax rate of 95.05 cents per $100 of valuation [2] is a steep increase from the current rate of 85.95 cents [2] and will cost the average Austinite an extra $420 annually. [2] That's money that could go towards groceries, healthcare, and education for those most in need.

Despite the tax increase generating a potential $171 million [6], the Austin school district will only retain a mere $41 million [6] – a shameful display of the state's broken funding system. The rest will be funneled into the state's coffers [6] and redistributed through a racist and classist program called "recapture." [8]

This "recapture" system perpetuates inequality, taking from districts like Austin [8] that primarily serve marginalized communities of color and giving to wealthier districts that have historically excluded and oppressed these same communities. [8]

"It's infuriating to see our tax dollars being used to perpetuate systemic racism and classism," said local educator, Dr. Jennifer Ramirez. "The school board should be advocating for equitable funding reforms, not propping up a broken system that hurts our community."

The Austin school district has been bled dry by this oppressive "recapture" system for years [9], paying nearly half of its property tax revenue to fund other, often less deserving, districts. [9]

Early voting starts Oct. 21, and Election Day is Nov. 5. [1]

Austin residents, remember to vote and make your voices heard! Say no to burdening our community with higher taxes! Demand equitable funding reforms that address the systemic issues at play!

URLs:
[1] https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2023-08-07/austin-school-board-calls-41-million-election-to-raise-tax-rate-in-november/
[2] https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2023-07-24/austin-school-district-tax-rate-election-looms-amid-disagreement-and-trust-issues/
[3] https://www.kvue.com/article/money/austin-isd-faces-99-million-deficit-in-2023-2024-budget-first-draft/277-bf9efc47-dd71-4a36-ac6c-0dc6b4994deb
[4] https://www.statesman.com/story/news/education/2023/08/07/austin-school-board-calls-nov-5-tax-rate-election/11922879/0816/
[5] https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2023-07-24/austin-school-district-tax-rate-election-looms-amid-disagreement-and-trust-issues/
[6] https://www.statesman.com/story/news/education/2023/08/07/austin-school-board-calls-nov-5-tax-rate-election/11922879/
[7] https://www.kxan.com/news/local/ AISD board votes to put tax ratification election on November ballot to bridge budget gap/352460394
[8] https://www.texastribune.org/2019/03/19/texas-schools-send-2-2b-property-wealth-tax-state/
[9] https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin-education/what-you-need-to-know-about-school-district-recapture-payments/