Preliminary election results show that Montgomery ISD voters approved Prop A, a Voter Approval Tax Ratification Election (VATRE), securing $5.5 million for this fiscal year’s Maintenance & Operations budget, with similar amounts expected annually. This is the first Tax Ratification Election ever passed in Montgomery ISD.
Unofficial results show 50.5 percent of votes supported the measure. The results will be official after the Board of Trustees canvass the votes during a meeting on November 19.
Montgomery ISD trustees adopted a $4.3 million deficit budget for the 2024-25 school year. Prop A increases the M&O rate by $.0425, generating over $5.5 million dollars of new revenues to MISD this fiscal year, with 15 percent of that total funded by the state.
“I applaud our community for putting our kids and educators first with their support of Prop A,” Superintendent Dr. Mark Ruffin said. “I have said throughout the last few months that our business here in Montgomery ISD is our people. Prop A provides the critically needed revenue to ensure we can continue to prioritize and take care of our people. This funding will allow us to recruit and retain the talented staff that Montgomery ISD is known for, and that serves as the foundation for high educational standards districtwide. We will also be able to maintain our student programs and continue to provide the level of safety and security in place across Montgomery ISD.”
“Successful local schools are foundational to thriving communities and I believe that is true here in Montgomery,” Ruffin said. “I am so appreciative to our community members for their trust in our district to allow us to continue to add value to our community through the education we provide our students. I want to thank our amazing staff who modeled civic engagement by participating in this election. We had an incredible turnout of our staff which fosters a culture of voting here in MISD.”
“I am so grateful for the many community members who helped educate our stakeholders about Prop A and for their continued support of our students and staff,” Ruffin continued. “Their commitment and the community’s support by passing Prop A highlights the values that Montgomery upholds – keeping our kids the focus of all we do.”
“On behalf of the Board, we thank everyone for investing in the education of our students and in the future of Montgomery Independent School District,” Board President Matt Fuller said. “This is a huge win for our students and staff and consistent with our community’s continued support of our schools. We have a long history of investing in students and schools to ensure that Montgomery ISD remains a premier district.”
“This is the outcome we hoped for. It makes me so proud to be a part of the Montgomery community and the Board of Trustees,” Board Secretary Eddie Winn said. “As a board, our priorities include creating a safe and secure learning environment where our students can thrive and finding ways to appropriately fund our schools and programs. Prop A will allow us to continue delivering on our priorities.”
“The entire school board thanks everyone who made time to vote, and thanks our community for supporting Prop A,” Board Vice President Laurie Turner said. “Montgomery ISD is committed to providing a premier learning experience for our students and the election results show our community is too.”