This proposal takes full advantage of opportunities school districts have to maximize state funding through what is known as golden pennies, whereby the state is required to kick in more funding to a particular school district when its voters approve a higher local tax rate. Nearly 40% of the money generated from the rate of increase will come from the state.
ECISD is the largest employer in the area, and the proposal will increase the salaries of 1,700+ employees in the community.
The district is already making budget cuts to address a budget shortfall. Still, it cannot give teachers and staff a cost-of-living increase to keep salaries competitive without cutting more programs and adopting a deficit budget of $5.5 million. This measure will provide the funding for raises with a balanced budget and limited program cuts.
The official ballot language says the proposal will generate an additional $3.8 million, which is just from local taxpayers. The proposal will also require the state to kick in over $2.8 million for ECISD, for a total of $6.6 million in additional revenue.
There is a national teacher shortage that is being felt throughout Texas, making competitive salaries more important than ever. This rate increase would keep salaries competitive and attract and retain the most experienced teachers.
ECISD competes with neighboring districts for teachers. Recently, many of these districts have increased teacher pay, and the district cannot keep up without a rate increase. This proposal could keep salaries competitive and recruit and retain highly experienced teachers.
Safety and security is a top priority for the district and board when considering the 2024 proposal.
Proposition A would include cameras, access controls, Silent Panic Alert Technology, 911 radio repeaters, cell phone boosters, perimeter fencing, bullet resistant film, mental health first aid training, campus radios, PA system upgrades, AEDs, Stop the Bleed kits, Epinephrine Pens, and additional police officers for new campuses.
New PA system.
Access Control Panels.
We receive $10.00 per Average Daily Attendance (ADA) from the State (not enrollment/per student) plus $15,000 per campus. Our total amount from the state for safety and security is $302,810. This bond covers items not funded by the state.
Prop A provides funds to fulfill a statewide legislative mandate signed by the governor of Texas requiring armed personnel at all schools.
Texas House Bill 3 requires armed personnel on every campus, but cost and recruitment prevent ECISD from complying with the new law.
The state is providing $10,000 per campus, but the majority of requirements in the new law are primarily unfunded. The grant is just a tiny fraction of the money needed to comply with the mandate of hiring armed personnel at every school in Texas. According to the Texas Association of School Boards, it would cost $60,000 per campus to place a resource officer at each school. This does not include any overtime which is anticipated. This figure does not include the cost of uniforms or the cost of vehicles that the district is required to provide.
