FAQ

A VATRE is a local school funding election or Voter-Approval Tax Ratification Election that asks voters whether or not they authorize the district to access the maintenance and operations tax rate to generate additional local funding, as well as additional state funding for specific purposes.

VATREs can only be called during the November general election. Despite conservative spending and fiscal responsibility, Rockwall ISD is not keeping pace with other area school districts on teacher and staff compensation. Rockwall ISD is one of only four school districts in the region and is the only school district in House District 33 without a VATRE.

The Rockwall ISD VATRE would generate $16.5 million in local funding for teacher and staff salaries and operational costs like safety, special education and student programs.

If the November 4 VATRE is approved by voters, it will generate $16.5 million annually in local funding every year. The money will be used to cover teacher and staff salary increases, special education, student programs and safety.

If voters reject the VATRE, the district will continue to be at a competitive disadvantage attracting and retaining teachers and staff. The district will also have to consider increasing class sizes, program reductions and increases in fees.

Senior Chief Finance Officer David Carter presented the compensation plan during the August 18th board meeting. You can view the presentation here: 2026-2027 Compensation Plan. Below is the breakdown of VATRE compensation percentages by employee category.

If approved, the VATRE would increase the district’s total tax rate by a net 4 cents, while still keeping Rockwall ISD’s overall school tax rate one of the lowest in the area. Since 2016, the Rockwall ISD tax rate has decreased by 44 cents.

The average taxable home value in Rockwall ISD is $540,000. With the additional Homestead Exemption, the taxable value is $400,000. If approved by the voters, the Voter-Approval Tax Ratification Election tax impact would be roughly $13 per month.

Property taxes for Rockwall ISD residents 65 and older are frozen and will not be impacted by the VATRE as long as improvements to their primary homes have not been made.

No. A VATRE does not create new debt. It creates additional funding for specific purposes. The additional funding raised by a VATRE stays local and is available to Rockwall ISD annually to cover teacher and staff salary increases, special education, student programs and safety.

Citizens 65 and older who have not made improvements to their primary homes have their taxes frozen and will not be impacted by the VATRE.

Early voting is both convenient and flexible. Early voting will take place at voting locations in the county in which you live from October 20-31. For more information about the election locations:

• Rockwall County
• Kaufman County
• Collin County

During the early voting period and on Election Day, you can cast your ballot at your designated precinct in the county in which you live. For more information about the election locations:

• Rockwall County
• Kaufman County
• Collin County

The deadline to register to vote in the General election is Monday, October 6, 2025. If you are 18 years old or older, visit https://www.votetexas.gov/ to register or check your voter eligibility.

To be eligible to vote by mail, click here for more information.