Bear Doc said:

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forza orsi said:

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hill02 said:

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What he said above.

Property valuations have skyrocketed and MCAD takes zero responsibility.

What percentage have the annual MISD total budget increases been on average for the last 5-10 years?

That would provide a lot of clarity.

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You can't just look at total budget dollars. The total enrollment of MISD is up about 20% from 2012-2022, from 7,266 to 8,739. New students = more schools, more teachers, more support staff. Then general US inflation is up 27.5% from 2012 to 2022.

For the fiscal year ending August 2012, the MISD budget was $53.7 million. If you apply the 10 year student enrollment growth rate and inflation to that you get $82.7 million. The budget for the fiscal year ending August 2022 was $75.3 million, less than that calculation above. That's not a perfect measuring stick and I'm sure there are places to improve efficiencies, but the budget dollars per student have gone down on an inflation-adjusted basis. I'm all in for cutting waste, but the budget growth in the district doesn't seem out of line.

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Theoretically if the enrollment grows by 20%, then the tax base should grow by 20% as well offsetting that aspect.

Cannot argue about the inflationary issues though. That is a problem in every area or society.

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hill02 said:

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The 2022 $75 million number does not include debt service of $19 million right?

What was debt service in the first year of your comparison?

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BaylorGuy314 said:

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Moondoggie said:

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Wife was teacher of the year at probably one of the most challenging Waco ISD campuses. We moved her to Midway thinking that would be the end-all-be-all.

It has not been that. VERY backwards instructionally speaking compared to Waco ISD. I'm talking a decade behind waco isd and even a small school district she started at in falls county. Her hands are tied in the classroom and the challenges of zero parental involvement have been replaced by the annoyance of know-it-all helicopter parents in some cases.

But all of this could be remedied by one thing…l pay her what she is worth. Midway used to match waco isd but now does not, and now Midway ISD has a ton of unnecessary turnover. Raise the taxes a tad. Our future generation is worth it.

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The four day school week schedule would be a PITA of enormous proportions for our family, personally. I know I may be in the minority but I hate it.

My solution is simple: pay teachers more. Raise taxes if you have to. Lorena ISD starts teachers out at $44K. The sad thing is that it only goes up to $54K after 10 years and $61K at 20. Get outta here with that - I wouldn't put up with the crap they have to deal with for that pay even with the 4 day schedule and the 1.5 months off in summer.

We just need to pay teachers more. There are some amazing people out there leading our kids and not being paid what they are worth. Pay won't solve all the problems but money will attract more talent and help retain it because people are at least making a wage worth putting up with the crap. There are, admittedly, also crappy teachers (I had a few back in my younger years that I recall) but I swear half of them are retained today because of the fear of having to try to replace them.

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sipembeers said:

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BaylorGuy314 said:

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Moondoggie said:

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Wife was teacher of the year at probably one of the most challenging Waco ISD campuses. We moved her to Midway thinking that would be the end-all-be-all.

It has not been that. VERY backwards instructionally speaking compared to Waco ISD. I'm talking a decade behind waco isd and even a small school district she started at in falls county. Her hands are tied in the classroom and the challenges of zero parental involvement have been replaced by the annoyance of know-it-all helicopter parents in some cases.

But all of this could be remedied by one thing…l pay her what she is worth. Midway used to match waco isd but now does not, and now Midway ISD has a ton of unnecessary turnover. Raise the taxes a tad. Our future generation is worth it.

---

The four day school week schedule would be a PITA of enormous proportions for our family, personally. I know I may be in the minority but I hate it.

My solution is simple: pay teachers more. Raise taxes if you have to. Lorena ISD starts teachers out at $44K. The sad thing is that it only goes up to $54K after 10 years and $61K at 20. Get outta here with that - I wouldn't put up with the crap they have to deal with for that pay even with the 4 day schedule and the 1.5 months off in summer.

We just need to pay teachers more. There are some amazing people out there leading our kids and not being paid what they are worth. Pay won't solve all the problems but money will attract more talent and help retain it because people are at least making a wage worth putting up with the crap. There are, admittedly, also crappy teachers (I had a few back in my younger years that I recall) but I swear half of them are retained today because of the fear of having to try to replace them.

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The only way to raise taxes is by vote. CS tried this last November and it failed 66% to 33%.

Reach out to your local representative to help with school funding.

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• Basic allotment per student (the amount districts are eligible to receive in revenue in total)
• The value of all properties within a school district based on its own property value study conducted every two years https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/pvs/index.php
• The maximum compressed M&O tax rate (the floor of how low it can go) for all districts across the state https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/news-and-multimedia/correspondence/taa-letters/tax-year-2023-maximum-compressed-tax-rates

El Mariachi said:

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sipembeers said:

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BaylorGuy314 said:

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Moondoggie said:

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Wife was teacher of the year at probably one of the most challenging Waco ISD campuses. We moved her to Midway thinking that would be the end-all-be-all.

It has not been that. VERY backwards instructionally speaking compared to Waco ISD. I'm talking a decade behind waco isd and even a small school district she started at in falls county. Her hands are tied in the classroom and the challenges of zero parental involvement have been replaced by the annoyance of know-it-all helicopter parents in some cases.

But all of this could be remedied by one thing…l pay her what she is worth. Midway used to match waco isd but now does not, and now Midway ISD has a ton of unnecessary turnover. Raise the taxes a tad. Our future generation is worth it.

---

The four day school week schedule would be a PITA of enormous proportions for our family, personally. I know I may be in the minority but I hate it.

My solution is simple: pay teachers more. Raise taxes if you have to. Lorena ISD starts teachers out at $44K. The sad thing is that it only goes up to $54K after 10 years and $61K at 20. Get outta here with that - I wouldn't put up with the crap they have to deal with for that pay even with the 4 day schedule and the 1.5 months off in summer.

We just need to pay teachers more. There are some amazing people out there leading our kids and not being paid what they are worth. Pay won't solve all the problems but money will attract more talent and help retain it because people are at least making a wage worth putting up with the crap. There are, admittedly, also crappy teachers (I had a few back in my younger years that I recall) but I swear half of them are retained today because of the fear of having to try to replace them.

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The only way to raise taxes is by vote. CS tried this last November and it failed 66% to 33%.

Reach out to your local representative to help with school funding.

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The crazy thing about school finances is how almost all of it is controlled at the state level, despite what people might think about the local influence.

State dictates:

• Basic allotment per student (the amount districts are eligible to receive in revenue in total)
• The value of all properties within a school district based on its own property value study conducted every two years https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/pvs/index.php
• The maximum compressed M&O tax rate (the floor of how low it can go) for all districts across the state https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/news-and-multimedia/correspondence/taa-letters/tax-year-2023-maximum-compressed-tax-rates

So Austin decides how much Midway gets and how much or little they are willing to contribute, leaving local homeowners footing the difference.

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Eleven-League Grant said:

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According to the McLennan CAD, the taxable valuation in Midway ISD is up about $1 Billion dollars from just last year, from roughly $6.5 billion to $7.5 billion, or a 15% increase. And, those numbers take into account the newly passed (but still pending) $100,000 homestead exemption.



Apparently having large industrial properties in its confines to tax is, as Martha Stewart would say, a very good thing to have.

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Moondoggie said:

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My wife loathes the backwards Midway primary education curriculum. It ties her hands in really teaching those kids like she could in Waco and her little district in falls county. Midway is trying with the new superintendent , and at least in her campus, a much
needed new principle. Fingers-crossed the district pulls it's head out of its ass and they let the teachers teach.

Hell, she came home with the spirit stick she earned by screaming " we've got spirit, yes we do, we've got spirit, how bout you?" as part of her professional development today.

Spirit sticks at district - wide staff meetings?!?!
Complete bull****

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BaylorGuy314 said:

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El Mariachi said:

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sipembeers said:

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BaylorGuy314 said:

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Moondoggie said:

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Wife was teacher of the year at probably one of the most challenging Waco ISD campuses. We moved her to Midway thinking that would be the end-all-be-all.

It has not been that. VERY backwards instructionally speaking compared to Waco ISD. I'm talking a decade behind waco isd and even a small school district she started at in falls county. Her hands are tied in the classroom and the challenges of zero parental involvement have been replaced by the annoyance of know-it-all helicopter parents in some cases.

But all of this could be remedied by one thing…l pay her what she is worth. Midway used to match waco isd but now does not, and now Midway ISD has a ton of unnecessary turnover. Raise the taxes a tad. Our future generation is worth it.

---

The four day school week schedule would be a PITA of enormous proportions for our family, personally. I know I may be in the minority but I hate it.

My solution is simple: pay teachers more. Raise taxes if you have to. Lorena ISD starts teachers out at $44K. The sad thing is that it only goes up to $54K after 10 years and $61K at 20. Get outta here with that - I wouldn't put up with the crap they have to deal with for that pay even with the 4 day schedule and the 1.5 months off in summer.

We just need to pay teachers more. There are some amazing people out there leading our kids and not being paid what they are worth. Pay won't solve all the problems but money will attract more talent and help retain it because people are at least making a wage worth putting up with the crap. There are, admittedly, also crappy teachers (I had a few back in my younger years that I recall) but I swear half of them are retained today because of the fear of having to try to replace them.

---

The only way to raise taxes is by vote. CS tried this last November and it failed 66% to 33%.

Reach out to your local representative to help with school funding.

---

The crazy thing about school finances is how almost all of it is controlled at the state level, despite what people might think about the local influence.

State dictates:

• Basic allotment per student (the amount districts are eligible to receive in revenue in total)
• The value of all properties within a school district based on its own property value study conducted every two years https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/pvs/index.php
• The maximum compressed M&O tax rate (the floor of how low it can go) for all districts across the state https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/news-and-multimedia/correspondence/taa-letters/tax-year-2023-maximum-compressed-tax-rates

So Austin decides how much Midway gets and how much or little they are willing to contribute, leaving local homeowners footing the difference.

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In some ways, I get it. Districts in economically depressed areas would never be able to keep up if some type of reallocation wasn't in place. BUT...Austin has too much control because it limits the ability of the constituents in a district from being willingly able to improve the situation.

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Volunteer said:

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Eleven-League Grant said:

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According to the McLennan CAD, the taxable valuation in Midway ISD is up about $1 Billion dollars from just last year, from roughly $6.5 billion to $7.5 billion, or a 15% increase. And, those numbers take into account the newly passed (but still pending) $100,000 homestead exemption.



Apparently having large industrial properties in its confines to tax is, as Martha Stewart would say, a very good thing to have.

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Yes, this is true. But, the state mandates a maximum amount of taxable value allowable per student. A district could have $1 trillion in appraised taxable property value, but they'd have to send most of it back to the state in recapture.

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Quote:

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Under the state's Robin Hood plan, a 1991 law that takes local property tax funding from property-wealthy districts and distributes it to districts that are not able to generate sustainable amounts of tax revenue, excess school tax revenue is subject to recapture. Midway is not currently subject to recapture under the Robin Hood plan, but Allen forecasts the district will be within the next few years.

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Volunteer said:

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Take the time to really understand funding of public schools in Texas. This is incredibly important for every taxpayer - especially those with kids in public schools - or about to be.
.
Not a dig at anyone, but in reading this thread it is very clear that the vast majority have very little understanding of school finance. This is understandable because it is actually quite complex and most of us have other things like jobs, spouses, and kids to take care of.

Talk to a school board member. Ask them to explain how school finance really works. Rather than assume one district has money growing trees on and another can't find two nickles to rub together, find our the truth. These are our elected board members. They're just regular people that pay taxes like the rest of us. They are happy to talk with you.

Here's a point most of you probably don't know: Midway spends less per student than any other district in McLennan County.

Here's another fact - Tax Rates:
Midway $1.12
Lorena $1.16
China Spring $1.17
Waco $1.24

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Eleven-League Grant said:

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Volunteer said:

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Eleven-League Grant said:

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According to the McLennan CAD, the taxable valuation in Midway ISD is up about $1 Billion dollars from just last year, from roughly $6.5 billion to $7.5 billion, or a 15% increase. And, those numbers take into account the newly passed (but still pending) $100,000 homestead exemption.



Apparently having large industrial properties in its confines to tax is, as Martha Stewart would say, a very good thing to have.

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Yes, this is true. But, the state mandates a maximum amount of taxable value allowable per student. A district could have $1 trillion in appraised taxable property value, but they'd have to send most of it back to the state in recapture.

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Agreed, you are correct on that point in that I assume you are referring to the state's 'Robin Hood Plan' of redistributing collected school taxes from wealthier to poorer school districts. (e.g. Austin ISD, Plano ISD, Highland Park ISD, etc.).

According to Midway ISD Superintendent Chris Allen in an August 7, 2023 Trib article, Midway is not currently subject to sharing its bounty:

Quote:

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Under the state's Robin Hood plan, a 1991 law that takes local property tax funding from property-wealthy districts and distributes it to districts that are not able to generate sustainable amounts of tax revenue, excess school tax revenue is subject to recapture. Midway is not currently subject to recapture under the Robin Hood plan, but Allen forecasts the district will be within the next few years.

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But, my goodness. It's tough for the average budget-constrained taxpayer to wrap his head around the idea that Midway has an additional 1 Billion dollars to tax this year (none of which is subject to Robin Hood) and yet some folks act as though it's asking its teachers, administrators and students to panhandle for quarters on the street corner to make ends meet.

Moreover, although I don't have the numbers handy, I'd ask just how much has the total taxable value in Midway ISD gone up over just the past 5-7 years? We're talking about very sizeable sums.

As an aside, let me emphasize that I am very grateful that Dr. Allen and company have conducted efficiency audits and are making changes. Those are very good things for any district, I'd say.

I'm also grateful for the quality of education that most Midway students receive and for the results that are achieved, although most will agree that academic results often stem from the importance placed on education by the parents of students in a district rather than from the amount of money spent per student in a district.

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sipembeers said:

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Volunteer said:

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Take the time to really understand funding of public schools in Texas. This is incredibly important for every taxpayer - especially those with kids in public schools - or about to be.
.
Not a dig at anyone, but in reading this thread it is very clear that the vast majority have very little understanding of school finance. This is understandable because it is actually quite complex and most of us have other things like jobs, spouses, and kids to take care of.

Talk to a school board member. Ask them to explain how school finance really works. Rather than assume one district has money growing trees on and another can't find two nickles to rub together, find our the truth. These are our elected board members. They're just regular people that pay taxes like the rest of us. They are happy to talk with you.

Here's a point most of you probably don't know: Midway spends less per student than any other district in McLennan County.

Here's another fact - Tax Rates:
Midway $1.12
Lorena $1.16
China Spring $1.17
Waco $1.24

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China springs will drop by about 12 cents next month based on the stated mandated compression.

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Quote:

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You make excellent points. Tax rate compression seems to cancel out the growth in appraised values. Frankly, the Texas world of school finance is entirely too complex. It needs to be completely overhauled.

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Quote:

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School district tax rate compression

Lawmakers set aside $12.7 billion to "compress," or reduce, school property tax rates. SB 2 cuts school district maintenance and operations taxes, which make up the majority of a homeowner's tax bill, by nearly 24%.

Schools will receive money from the state to ensure they do not lose revenue as local tax rates fall.

However, overall school funding will not change.

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Quote:

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Waco Independent School District homeowners are likely to see tax bills shrink by hundreds of dollars after the school board this week signaled it would cut the tax rate by more than 21 cents per $100 valuation.

That cut comes on top of a $100,000 school homestead exemption the state of Texas has approved and is awaiting voter approval in November.

Trustees on Thursday voted 6-0 to declare their intent to adopt a tax rate of $1.029 per $100 in valuation, with Jeremy Davis absent from the vote.

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Quote:

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FWIW, Waco ISD's 2023 valuations only went up by half a billion dollars, compared with Midway's one billion dollar increase in property valuation.

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Moondoggie said:

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Moondoggie said:

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My wife loathes the backwards Midway primary education curriculum. It ties her hands in really teaching those kids like she could in Waco and her little district in falls county. Midway is trying with the new superintendent , and at least in her campus, a much
needed new principle. Fingers-crossed the district pulls it's head out of its ass and they let the teachers teach.

Hell, she came home with the spirit stick she earned by screaming " we've got spirit, yes we do, we've got spirit, how bout you?" as part of her professional development today.

Spirit sticks at district - wide staff meetings?!?!
Complete bull****

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. What are they? Up with people?

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Moondoggie said:

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My wife loathes the backwards Midway primary education curriculum. It ties her hands in really teaching those kids like she could in Waco and her little district in falls county. Midway is trying with the new superintendent , and at least in her campus, a much
needed new principle. Fingers-crossed the district pulls it's head out of its ass and they let the teachers teach.

Hell, she came home with the spirit stick she earned by screaming " we've got spirit, yes we do, we've got spirit, how bout you?" as part of her professional development today.

Spirit sticks at distant - wide staff meetings?!?!
Complete bull****

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SteamedHams said:

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Might need some funds allocated to SBE…got that call last night that the first day of school was canceled over a burst water main.

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SteamedHams said:

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Might need some funds allocated to SBE…got that call last night that the first day of school was canceled over a burst water main.

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FrankFallonCalling said:

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CorsicanaBear said:

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They are providing quality, modern educations in most of the developed countries in the world for less per student than the US. And in those countries that spend nearly as much as the US, the education is much better.

We have no excuse.

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The vast majority of other developed countries do not educate the same spectrum of students for the duration that we do.

I love international education comparisons and there is much that we can learn from others, but apple to orange comparisons are not helpful.

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sipembeers said:

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Austin ISD passed a 54.5 million deficit budget this fiscal year. Also, they are now requesting 2k back from teachers who received an accidental bonus. The bonus was for new hires into the district.

The state is failing kids by making districts operate like this.

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Moondoggie said:

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My wife loathes the backwards Midway primary education curriculum. It ties her hands in really teaching those kids like she could in Waco and her little district in falls county. Midway is trying with the new superintendent , and at least in her campus, a much
needed new principle. Fingers-crossed the district pulls it's head out of its ass and they let the teachers teach.

Hell, she came home with the spirit stick she earned by screaming " we've got spirit, yes we do, we've got spirit, how bout you?" as part of her professional development today.

Spirit sticks at distant - wide staff meetings?!?!
Complete bull****

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