Mesquite ISD Prop A
Mesquite ISD VATRE 2026
Proposition A | November 3, 2026
On November 3, Mesquite ISD voters will consider Proposition A, a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE). If approved, Proposition A is projected to generate approximately $16 million in additional operating revenue each year.
The additional funding would support recruiting and retaining educators and staff, maintaining staffing and class-size levels, student programs and opportunities, and safety and security across the district.
MISD recently balanced its budget by reducing spending by approximately $50 million over the past two years, but based on current district financial projections, MISD is projected to run a deficit beginning in the 2027–28 school year.
Why Is Mesquite ISD Proposing a VATRE?
Inflation
Expanding Requirements
Declining Enrollment
$50 Million Cut Over Two Years
What Would Prop A Fund?
Student Programs
Staff Compensation
Campus Safety
If approved, additional operating revenue provided by Prop A would be used to maintain and expand student access to fine arts, athletics, CTE, and other district programs and services.
- 81% of MISD K–12 students participate in fine arts programs
- 5,000 middle & high school students in MISD participate in athletic programs
- 90% of MISD high school students participate in CTE programs
- Employee Compensation: Prop A revenue would provide eligible employees with at least a 2% compensation increase while maintaining financial stability.
- Increase Substitute Coverage and Local Days: Additional revenue would fund increased substitute coverage and standardize five local days for all full-time employees.
- Hard-to-Staff Positions: Additional revenue would support recruitment and retention for administrative, support and other hard-to-staff positions across the district.
- State law (HB3) requires school districts to meet campus safety and security standards, including requirements for personnel and facilities.
- Proposition A would generate operating revenue to fund district-employed security personnel and other ongoing campus security costs.
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If approved, additional operating revenue provided by Prop A would be used to maintain and expand student access to fine arts, athletics, CTE, and other district programs and services.
- 81% of MISD K–12 students participate in fine arts programs
- 5,000 middle & high school students in MISD participate in athletic programs
- 90% of MISD high school students participate in CTE programs
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- Employee Compensation: Prop A revenue would provide eligible employees with at least a 2% compensation increase while maintaining financial stability.
- Increase Substitute Coverage and Local Days: Additional revenue would fund increased substitute coverage and standardize five local days for all full-time employees.
- Hard-to-Staff Positions: Additional revenue would support recruitment and retention for administrative, support and other hard-to-staff positions across the district.
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- State law (HB3) requires school districts to meet campus safety and security standards, including requirements for personnel and facilities.
- Proposition A would generate operating revenue to fund district-employed security personnel and other ongoing campus security costs.
Tax Impact
$16 Million In Revenue
If approved, Proposition A is projected to generate more than $16 million in additional annual operating revenue.
$8.75 per month
The estimated tax impact for the average taxpayer is $8.75 per month. MISD currently has one of the lowest M&O tax rates in the region.
If Proposition A is approved, the district’s M&O rate would be in line with most neighboring districts.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESIONS
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A Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election, or VATRE, is an election required by Texas law when a school district seeks voter approval to increase its Maintenance and Operations (M&O) tax rate to generate additional operating revenue.
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The estimated tax impact for the average taxpayer is $8.75 per month.
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If approved, Proposition A is projected to generate approximately $16 million in additional operating revenue annually.
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The additional operating revenue provided by Proposition A could be for:
- maintaining and expanding student access to fine arts, athletics, CTE, and other district programs and services.
- supporting staffing and services required to serve students receiving special education services.
- personnel and other recurring district operations associated with campus security.
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MISD recently balanced its budget by reducing spending by approximately $50 million over the past two years, but based on current district financial projections, MISD is projected to run a deficit beginning in the 2027–28 school year.
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Homeowners 65 and older with the over-65 exemption have their school taxes frozen at a set amount. This election does not change that.
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Early Voting: October 19 through October 30, 2026
Election Day: November 3, 2026