Today, the FISD Board of Trustees adopted a tax rate of $1.3102 — a rate that is more than 2.8¢ lower than the 2019 tax rate — marking the third year in a row that we have been able to lower the property tax rate. In total, we have lowered the rate by approximately 15¢ in that time and maintain one of the lowest school tax rates in all of North Texas.
In Frisco ISD, we often talk about the importance of partnerships. Here and now, it is no different. It is the partnerships we have forged with our community and state leaders that have enabled our ability to deliver tax relief to property owners all while expanding student opportunity and teacher support.
Here is what I mean:
From 2016 to 2018, the board and administration engaged in outreach to hundreds of community members who gave of their time, in partnership with the district, to help the community better understand the complex realities of Texas public school finance and to provide guidance to district leaders regarding the priorities of the community. It was an effort to recognize the limit of our resources and reaffirm who we are. This led to voter approval of a tax swap in 2018 providing much needed local enrichment that we could apply to our recommitted goals.
In 2019, students, staff, parents, and your board worked collaboratively with the 86th Texas Legislature leading to passage of fundamental school finance reform. The new law paved a path for continued competitiveness in Frisco ISD — freeing Robinhood dollars from recapture and codifying a funding formula that would lead to additional tax relief.
Today we find ourselves in an unexpected battle brought on by the challenges of navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the collaborative groundwork already laid, we are fortunate to be meeting the challenge relatively well given the resources available and our willingness to remain nimble. However, there is plenty of uncertainty ahead. What fiscal reality will state lawmakers face when the 87th Texas Legislature convenes? The answer will increasingly come into focus as we get closer to January. Still then, it will again be our partnerships we heavily rely upon with the continued goal of furthering the progress made in recent years.
As always, your thoughts are appreciated. Together, we will keep great going.