Midway ISD Taxes
VATRE - Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election
Learn About the VATRE
Opportunities to Hear About VATRE
- Wednesday, September 20 at 4:05 p.m. - Spirit of Communications+ Staff Meeting (Q&A)
- Thursday, September 21 at 5:30 p.m. - Community-wide Town Hall at the MISD Performing Arts Center
- Monday, September 25 at 9 a.m. - Blue Card Q&A with Dr. Allen (RSVP to tracey.upshaw@midwayisd.org)
- Thursday, September 28 at 11:30 a.m. - Hewitt Chamber State of the District Luncheon at MISD Technology Center
- Tuesday, October 3 at 6 p.m. - Very Important Parent Night (VIP) at the MISD Performing Arts Center
- Tuesday, October 10 at 7 p.m. - Highway 84 Neighborhood Association meeting at Harris Creek Baptist Church
- MISD Leadership will also be stationed available for questions at many campus open houses and parent events.
*** If you represent a community group that would like to host Superintendent Chris Allen to discuss VATRE, please contact traci.marlin@midwayisd.org***
More Ways to Learn
Election Information
Ballot Language for Proposition A
Ratifying the ad valorem tax rate of $0.9392 per $100 valuation in Midway Independent School District for the current year, a rate that will result in a decrease of 3.96 percent in maintenance and operations tax revenue for the district for the current year as compared to the preceding year, which is a decrease of $2,429,940.
FOR______
AGAINST______
The DECREASE refers to local tax revenue. If approved, MISD will receive a $3.75M overall revenue INCREASE from State funding.
The Impact to Schools & Taxpayers
If Approved:
- The overall tax rate will DECREASE by 18.5¢.
- The $2.4M decrease in the ballot language refers to local tax revenue.
- MISD will receive a $3.75M overall revenue INCREASE from State funding.
Voting Calendar
Election Resources
Recursos electorales
Tax Information
School District Tax Rate
The Midway ISD Board of Trustees sets two tax rates each August:
• The M&O rate funds salaries and operations. This is like your checking account.
• The I&S rate funds facilities and major purchases. This is like your mortgage.
Any increases to either tax rate must be approved by voters. The current combined tax rate is $1.1246 (set August 2022).
Frozen Taxes for Ages 65+
TAX RATES ARE FROZEN FOR SENIORS 65+. All Texas residents 65 and older have "frozen" school district taxes. The amount paid (for school taxes only) will never increase no matter the tax rate or property value.
How Property Appraisals Affect School Taxes
Although MISD's tax rate is at a historic low, you may be paying a higher actual tax amount. This is due to increasing property values, measured by an appraisal from the McLennan County Appraisal District to meet State thresholds. The State conducts a Property Value Study, and the Appraisal District must be within 5% of their values.
Midway ISD does not receive more M&O funding due to local higher property appraisal values. Local and state M&O funding have an inverse relationship. If local tax income increases due to property values, the State decreases their share of school funding.
School districts are funded per student. In fact, we are not even funded per student enrolled, but as a percentage of enrollment based on student attendance rates. The only mechanism for increasing funding for Maintenance & Operations (M & O) without changing the tax rate is student enrollment growth.
Average Home Tax Impact
Tax Rate History
Tax Rate Comparisons
Required Postings
Board of Trustees
Click here to read more about each School Board member. You may also contact each member through their official Midway email address: Pete Rusek (pete.rusek@midwayisd.org), Susan Vick (susan.vick@midwayisd.org), Pam Watts (pam.watts@midwayisd.org), Jonathan Green (jonathan.green@midwayisd.org), Rick Tullis (rick.tullis@midwayisd.org), Brad Alford (brad.alford@midwayisd.org), and Colin Witt (colin.witt@midwayisd.org).
District Contact Information
Midway ISD's mailing address is 13885 Woodway Drive, Woodway, TX 76712. Emails can be sent to webmaster@midwayisd.org or comments@midwayisd.org. The main phone number is 254-761-5610.
District Budget
The current year proposed or adopted budget, as well as at least two years' previous budgets are linked here.
Financial Reports
Each financial report linked here includes an independent auditor's report.
Tax Rate History
2023 tax rate: $0.6992 M&O + $0.24 I&S = $0.9392
2022 tax rate: $0.8546 M&O + $0.27 I&S = $1.1246
2021 tax rate: $0.89 M&O + $0.27 I&S = $1.16
2020 tax rate: $0.97 M&O + $0.27 I&S = $1.24
2019 tax rate: $0.97 M&O + $0.28 I&S = $1.25
What's the Issue?
Staffing Shortages
- Turnover (retention)
- Market competition (recruitment)
- Sustainable funding for new security personnel
Inflation of Costs
- Increased 14.5% since 2019
Limits to Revenue
- No increase for basic allotment
- Increased property values do not raise M&O revenue for the district
What's been done already?
Research
Researched other issues/options affecting staff recruitment & retention (e.g. behavior management)
Reduced Staff
Eliminated 16 staff positions worth $700,000 following staff efficiency audit
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if the VATRE does not pass?
Midway ISD will need to address a $5.5 million M&0 budget deficit… but how?
- 85% of the budget is personnel
- $5.5M = 90 FTE
- Affects ability to staff student programs
- Additional expenditure cuts
- Attempts to increase revenue
How can MISD afford new facilities but not salary increases?
Schools are funded through two tax rates. The Maintenance & Operations (M&O) tax rate funds operational expenses like salaries. The Interest & Sinking (I&S) tax rate funds debt payments, such as school bonds. Bonds are approved by voters to be spent on proposed construction packages. It is illegal to use I&S funds for M&O expenses.
Panther Nation News
Midway Community Approves Funding for Teacher Retention and Recruitment
