Voters Say ‘No’ to EPISD Tax Proposal
After all the votes were counted, the results were overwhelmingly against the El Paso Independent School District’s tax proposal.
14,480 voters cast their ballot on election day and during early voting for the district’s tax ratification election.
The results: 9,851 – or 68% – percent said ‘no’ to the tax hike. Only 4,6291 – or 32% – were in favor.
EPISD officials asked voters to move the tax rate from $1.23 to $1.36 for every $100 of home valuation.
That would’ve meant an extra $11 per month for the owner of a $100,000 home.
It also would’ve also meant $36 million for the district, including $19 million in matching money from the state.
With the cash, teachers in EPISD would’ve seen a raise of roughly $1,250.
There would have also been more money for early childhood education, fine arts, and construction of new schools and science labs, according to district officials.
With Tuesday night’s defeat, the district could move to freeze salaries, close schools, or lay off some employees.
Most of the voters ABC-7 spoke with said they voted ‘no’ because of the tough economy.
“I don’t wanna pay more in property taxes,” said one woman.
“El Paso can’t stand higher taxes,” said another voter. “They’re enough as it is,” he said.
EPISD Superintendent Dr. Lorenzo Garcia told ABC-7 despite the lousy economic conditions, the district needed to make its move.
“With the possibility that the next time the legislators are in session they might scale back the state matching funds, I think it was important for us to go to the community,” he said.
A complete breakdown of EPISD’s election results can be found here.
