Boerne ISD Voters Approve VATRE to Support Teachers and Strengthen Classrooms
November 5, 2025
BOERNE, TX - Voters in Boerne ISD demonstrated their support for students, staff, and educational programs by passing Proposition A for a Voter Approval Tax Rate Election on November 4, 2025.
Unofficial results show that 6241 voters or 51.3% cast ballots in favor of the proposition, which is projected to generate new operations funding by $4.8M every year moving forward.
The results are unofficial until the election is canvassed by the Board at the November 17th Board meeting.
Dr. Kristin Craft, Boerne ISD superintendent, shared, “Our voters have spoken, and we are grateful not only for their confirmation of this measure, but for the encouraging voter turnout this election season. We wholeheartedly thank all of those who made the effort to go to the polls and weigh in on this matter. Our community is truly special. As superintendent, this is just the beginning of the steps we must take to help Boerne become more competitive. We have the best staff – and I want to keep them here.”
ABOUT THE VATRE: Boerne ISD’s VATRE will yield $3M in local funding. The VATRE is unique because it will also require the state of Texas to kick in 60 cents for every dollar. The $4.8M total in new revenue each year was budgeted in June 2025, but was not budgeted to be spent until the results of the election were in. Over 80% of that $4.8M has been earmarked to increase staff salaries, including:
- Restructuring the pay of teachers, nurses, and counselors so that they all have more impactful increases year-over-year and see those dollars in their bottom line and retirement
- Raising the minimum wage of auxiliary workers to $15/hour and paraprofessional staff to $16/hour, then restructuring the pay of all other employees in those categories so they also see increases in their bottom lines
- Raising the minimum teacher starting pay from $55,142 to $60,000
- Creating special education stipends to retain special education teachers; the district has struggled to retain these highly-skilled employees due in part to not being able to afford stipends
- $500,000 additional contributions to employee healthcare premiums after TRS increased premiums by 24% since 2023
The remaining 20% was budgeted to support program growth and facility needs.
Boerne ISD would not have been able to increase teacher and staff pay without the passage of this VATRE, even after saving $1.5 million by reducing administrative positions. Board President Kristi Schmidt says this yes vote comes at a crucial time for the district. “This VATRE could not have come at a better time,” says Schmidt. “Rising costs and increasing competition for quality teachers have made this a challenging time for us. This additional funding will help us stay strong where it matters most, in the classroom. We’re grateful our community recognized that need and chose to invest in our schools now.”
ABOUT BOERNE: Boerne ISD is one of the highest-rated districts in Texas. The district’s College, Career, and Military Readiness rate stands at 95%, which is among the highest in the state. The district’s 99% graduation rate also ranks among the best in the state. The money generated by this VATRE will help fund the people, programs, and salaries that make those success rates possible.
December 17, 2025
December 18, 2025
November 17, 2025 Board Meeting & Canvassing of Election
November 17, 2025 Board Report by Maggie Dominguez
Boerne ISD Board Unanimously Calls Voter Approval Tax Rate Election for November 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 18, 2025
Boerne ISD Board Unanimously Calls Voter Approval Tax Rate Election for November 2025
Boerne, TX (August 2025) – The Boerne ISD Board of Trustees has approved an order calling a Voter Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) for Tuesday, November 4, 2025. The VATRE will ask voters to consider a three-cent increase to the district’s Maintenance and Operations (M&O) tax rate. If approved by voters, the VATRE would generate an estimated 4.8 million dollars in annual funding for Boerne ISD, with approximately 37 percent of that amount coming from the state. None of the revenue would be subject to recapture, meaning all of it would remain in the district to be used for locally identified priorities. The decision to place the measure on the ballot follows several months of review by the district’s leadership team, which has been assessing operational needs, staffing costs, and current funding levels.
Key Information About the Called VATRE:
- The district would receive approximately 1.8 million dollars in additional funding from the state, triggered by local voter approval.
- All revenue generated by the VATRE would stay in Boerne ISD and is not subject to state recapture.
- Boerne ISD is currently one of the lowest funded school district in Texas based on per-student state funding.
- Nearly one in five Boerne ISD teachers left the district last year, many for higher-paying positions in nearby districts.
- The district has already cut over $1.4 million dollars from administrative budgets through attrition and reorganization.
- Funds generated through the VATRE would be used for classroom instruction, staff compensation, and student programs.
- Homeowners aged 65 and older with a homestead exemption will not see an increase above their frozen tax amount under state law. In fact, it’s estimated they’ll see an average of a $670 reduction in their tax bill.
- If both the VATRE and a proposed state property tax relief measure are approved by voters, Boerne ISD homeowners under the age of 65 may still see an estimated $80 dollar reduction in their overall school district tax bill.
"Our district has worked hard to be good stewards of public funds, including identifying reductions in our administrative costs," said Dr. Kristin Craft, Boerne ISD Superintendent. "We are committed to providing the community with clear, factual information about this election and what it would mean for our schools."
"This election gives voters the opportunity to consider whether the district should access additional state funding for ongoing operational needs," said Kristi Schmidt, Boerne ISD Board President. "Our Board has advocated for Boerne ISD schools and taxpayers for years, and since 2018, we’ve lowered the tax rate by 36 cents. We will continue sharing details with the public to ensure transparency throughout this process."
Early voting begins Monday, October 20, 2025, and continues through Friday, October 31, 2025. Election Day is Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Voter registration for the November election closes on Monday, October 6, 2025.
Additional resources will be posted at BoerneISD.net/VATRE as they become available.
About Boerne ISD: Boerne ISD is a top-rated public school district serving more than 11,150 students across Kendall and Bexar counties. With a reputation for academic excellence, innovative programs, and community involvement, BISD is committed to empowering all students to reach their full potential in a rapidly changing world.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Maggie Dominguez, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Communications
Phone: 830-357-2170
Email: maggie.dominguez@boerneisd.net