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VATRE 2025
Every Student. Every Teacher. Every Day.
VATRE FACTS for Blanco ISD
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VATRE funds support day-to-day operations and student opportunities such as CTE, AP/Dual Credit, fine arts, extracurriculars, and classroom resources.
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In 2023–24, Blanco ISD invested $653,989 in Career & Technical Education and $654,394 in transportation. These operating costs ensure students can access career pathways, advanced coursework, and extracurricular opportunities, and have reliable transportation to participate in them.
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Without added revenue, the district faces an operating budget gap of about $0.55 million in 2025–26, which could put pressure on program budgets and limit what students can access.
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Bond funds pay for facilities, while VATRE proceeds support operations that keep classrooms staffed and programs running.
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VATRE proceeds help preserve staffing levels that keep student-to-teacher ratios steady so students receive more individual attention.
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When budgets fall short, staffing reductions are a common lever districts use to balance, which can lead to larger class sizes.
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Blanco ISD employs about 167 teachers for 1,105 students, maintaining a close student-to-teacher connection that supports learning.
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Teacher pay averages $57,850 in Blanco ISD compared to $72,030 nationally. Competitive salaries are important for retaining staff, which helps the district maintain stable staffing levels and avoid increases in class sizes.
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A VATRE helps maintain student support services and staff.
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VATRE funds are intended to stabilize these supports so students keep the help they need to be successful.
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In 2023–24, Blanco ISD spent $2,475,861 on Special Education and $830,509 on State Compensatory Education. These investments help ensure students with academic or behavioral needs receive support.
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Revenue raised through the VATRE stays in Blanco ISD and will be used for our students and teachers. These funds are not subject to recapture by the state.
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The proposed VATRE would increase the M&O tax rate by 2 cents. This change is projected to generate nearly half a million dollars each year in additional revenue for Blanco ISD. Approximately 30% of the new revenue would come from the state.
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The district earned a Superior “A” FIRST financial accountability rating in 2025, reflecting strong financial management.
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FAQs
A bond is used by school districts to fund construction and major facility improvements. Bond dollars typically go toward new buildings, renovations, or large capital projects.
A VATRE (Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election), on the other hand, is specifically for day-to-day operations. That includes teacher pay, staffing levels that affect class sizes, student programs such as Career and Technical Education (CTE), AP/Dual Credit, fine arts, and extracurriculars, as well as essential student services and staff.
The proposed VATRE represents a 2-cent increase in the district’s M&O tax rate. If approved, this adjustment is projected to generate nearly half a million dollars each year for Blanco ISD.
Approximately 30% of that amount (about $134,817) would come from the state. All funds raised stay in Blanco ISD and are not subject to recapture.
Citizens who are 65 or older and have applied for and received the over-65 exemption will not see any tax increase as a result of this VATRE.
Revenue generated through the VATRE will be used to support the district’s operating budget and maintain services that directly impact students:
- Teacher compensation – Helping Blanco ISD remain competitive in retaining and recruiting quality educators.
- Class sizes – Preserving staffing levels to keep student-to-teacher ratios steady.
- Student programs – Sustaining opportunities in CTE, AP, and dual credit courses, fine arts, and extracurricular activities.
- Student support services – Maintaining student support services and staff
The proposed VATRE would adjust the tax rate by 2 cents. This adjustment is projected to generate nearly half a million dollars each year for the district, with approximately 30% of that total coming from the state.
These funds are part of the district’s maintenance and operations (M&O) budget. M&O dollars cover the day-to-day costs of running schools, including:
- Compensation for teachers and staff
- Staffing that helps maintain smaller class sizes
- Programs such as Career and Technical Education (CTE), AP/Dual Credit, and fine arts
- Student support services and staff
- Importantly, VATRE funds are not subject to state recapture and remain in Blanco ISD to directly support students, staff, and programs.
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A bond is used by school districts to fund construction and major facility improvements. Bond dollars typically go toward new buildings, renovations, or large capital projects.
A VATRE (Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election), on the other hand, is specifically for day-to-day operations. That includes teacher pay, staffing levels that affect class sizes, student programs such as Career and Technical Education (CTE), AP/Dual Credit, fine arts, and extracurriculars, as well as essential student services and staff.
-
The proposed VATRE represents a 2-cent increase in the district’s M&O tax rate. If approved, this adjustment is projected to generate nearly half a million dollars each year for Blanco ISD.
Approximately 30% of that amount (about $134,817) would come from the state. All funds raised stay in Blanco ISD and are not subject to recapture.
Citizens who are 65 or older and have applied for and received the over-65 exemption will not see any tax increase as a result of this VATRE.
-
Revenue generated through the VATRE will be used to support the district’s operating budget and maintain services that directly impact students:
- Teacher compensation – Helping Blanco ISD remain competitive in retaining and recruiting quality educators.
- Class sizes – Preserving staffing levels to keep student-to-teacher ratios steady.
- Student programs – Sustaining opportunities in CTE, AP, and dual credit courses, fine arts, and extracurricular activities.
- Student support services – Maintaining student support services and staff
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The proposed VATRE would adjust the tax rate by 2 cents. This adjustment is projected to generate nearly half a million dollars each year for the district, with approximately 30% of that total coming from the state.
These funds are part of the district’s maintenance and operations (M&O) budget. M&O dollars cover the day-to-day costs of running schools, including:
- Compensation for teachers and staff
- Staffing that helps maintain smaller class sizes
- Programs such as Career and Technical Education (CTE), AP/Dual Credit, and fine arts
- Student support services and staff
- Importantly, VATRE funds are not subject to state recapture and remain in Blanco ISD to directly support students, staff, and programs.
Eager to learn more?
Every Student. Every Teacher. Every Day.
What is a VATRE?
A Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) is a vote that allows Blanco ISD to access additional local and state funds for daily operations, not for new construction.
Election Information
Early Voting: October 20–31, 2025
Election Day: November 4, 2025
Polling Places & Official Information:
Blanco County Elections Office
