Wichita Falls ISD Superintendent Michael Kuhrt has a message for voters as the Nov. 3 school bond referendum nears.
Kuhrt wants to clear up confusion about how the proposed $290 million bond issue to build two high schools would affect school property taxes for certain residents.
“If you are over 65, your taxes have been frozen on your homestead, and therefore this bond issue will not increase your taxes,” Kuhrt said during a meeting Monday evening.
He encouraged trustees to deliver that message during efforts to educate taxpayers about the school bond issue.
Kuhrt told trustees that he is continuing to do presentations on the proposed school bond plan, and he is receiving positive feedback.
A homestead is a property owner’s main residence, according to the Texas Comptroller’s Office.
Taxes on the homestead of an over 65-year-old will remain the same as they were in the year the homeowner qualified for the freeze, according to the bond website.
The over 65-year-old’s school property taxes won’t rise unless there are significant improvements to a homestead beyond normal repairs and maintenance.
In addition, residents with certain disabling conditions can apply for a freeze in school taxes on a homestead, Kuhrt said after the meeting.
Oct. 5 is the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 3 General Election. Early voting will be from Oct. 13 to Oct. 30.
Voters will cast a ballot on Proposition A and Proposition B, according to the district’s Bond 2020 website.
Proposition A is to build two new high schools and acquire land for them. Proposition B is for recreational facilities for the high schools.
If issuing the bonds is approved Nov. 3, the school property tax rate would go up an estimated 32 cents per $100 of assessed property value, according to the website.
The increase would add up to a total tax rate of $1.47 cents for WFISD, according to the website.
For a taxpayer who owns a $100,000 home, that would mean an increase in school property taxes of about $27 a month or $320 a year, according to the website.
Kuhrt has already secured a one-year option to buy 180 acres at Legacy Park north of the Career Education Center for a high school in southeast Wichita Falls.
Earlier this month, WFISD trustees gave the superintendent the go-ahead to finalize a contract to buy 104 acres at 6422 Seymour Highway in the southwest part of the city.
Going through with the purchase of the land depends on voter approval Nov. 3.
The two new high schools would replace Wichita Falls, Hirschi and Rider high schools in the first step of WFISD’s long-range facility plan, according to the bond website.
More:UPDATED: WFISD trustees approve a $290 million bond election for two new high schools
More:As WFISD takes next step toward Seymour Highway site, one trustee dissents
Trish Choate, enterprise watchdog reporter for the Times Record News, covers education, courts, breaking news, politics and more. Contact Trish with news tips at tchoate@gannett.com. Her Twitter handle is @Trishapedia.
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