Press release from Uvalde CISD
November 5, 2024
Uvalde, Texas—The Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District (UCISD) is announcing the unofficial preliminary results of the Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE). The district’s Board of Trustees called this special election to propose an increase in the current Maintenance and Operations Tax Rate, which is essential for sustaining the district’s financial needs.
The Election Committee has completed its preliminary count of the ballots. The results indicate that 1827 votes were cast against the proposal, while 426 votes were in favor. There are an estimated 150 ballots that remain to be counted once mail-in ballot signatures can be verified, however due to the overwhelming number of votes cast against the tax rate increase, the remaining votes will not change the outcome. The voters of UCISD have not approved the proposed tax rate increase.
As a result, Uvalde CISD will need to amend the current operating budget for the 2024-2025 school year to reflect a reduction in revenue of $1.9 million resulting in an overall deficit budget of $2.5 million. Superintendent Chohlis and the UCISD Board of Trustees will continue to work diligently to evaluate the operating budget, exploring all viable options to support the district in its attempt to regain financial stability.
Despite the VATRE’s outcome, the district is committed to continuing its mission of providing a quality education and maintaining a safe learning environment for all students and staff. Superintendent Chohlis reassures the community: “While we face financial challenges, our dedication to our students’ education and safety remains unwavering. We will continue to seek innovative solutions to support our schools.”
UCISD emphasizes its commitment to transparency and will engage with the community to discuss the implications of the election results and the strategic steps moving forward. Stakeholders are encouraged to participate in these discussions to support the district’s objectives collaboratively.
For further details on the VATRE results and the district’s plans, please join the upcoming School Board Meeting on November 18th or contact the central office at 830-278-6655.
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