Cedar Hill ISD looking at 13-cent tax hike

Due to the way the Texas Lege “equalized” school funding in the last session, in essence putting a hard cap on school districts’ state assistance, more and more school districts could be in CHISD shoes in the near future.

And, Cedar Hill is using the idea of 13 “pennies,” with a penny each for different programs, such as fine arts, to sell the idea.

Cedar Hill ISD Superintendent Horace Williams and Chief Financial Officer Mike McSwain explained that state funding caps on Cedar Hill - and other school districts that are likely to be in similar boats - is why the district is taking a hard look at the idea.

“We have a targeted revenue,” McSwain said.

And, that is $4,862 per what is known as a “weighted student,” with extra money for special education, free or reduced-price lunch, gifted and talented and career and technology education students.

So, if housing prices appraise significantly upward in Cedar Hill, the state cuts its degree of support, to maintain the overall funding level at that revenue target.

McSwain doesn't expect any major relief from the next session of the Texas Legislature. And, that $4,862 has no inflationary adjustment, either.

The 13-cent increase, from $1.04 to $1.17 per $100 valuation, is the top allowable rate.