To All HEB ISD Parents, Employees, and Community Members:
 
The HEB ISD Board of Trustees, at its August 11 Board Meeting, voted to place a School Funding Referendum on the November 4, 2025, ballot. Also known as a Voter-Approval Tax Ratification Election (VATRE), this is the option authorized by the Texas Legislature to provide voters with the opportunity to increase funding for school districts in a manner approved by the voters of the community. The VATRE allows the school district to obtain voter approval to increase the district's Maintenance and Operations (M&O) tax above the state-mandated threshold. M&O taxes can be used for overall district operations, including, but not limited to, salaries, utilities, supplies, and other day-to-day operation expenses.
 
Before calling for the HEB ISD School Funding Referendum (VATRE), the HEB ISD Board of Trustees, the Superintendent, and the administrators reviewed funding options, analyzed academic programs and classroom safety measures, and studied information shared by stakeholders. If approved by the voters, the School Funding Referendum would provide the funds to maintain or expand academic programs, improve district safety programs, and increase all staff salaries. More than 600 school districts in Texas, including a majority of districts in our region, have passed such a VATRE referendum. If this 2025 school funding referendum is approved, the 2025 total tax rate will be 1.5 cents less than 2023 projections, and lower than the 2018 tax rate.
 
It is imperative to us that members of our community have the opportunity to make an informed decision at the ballot box. In the weeks ahead, we will publish an informational website and invite you to public information meetings. If you have questions not addressed by these resources, we hope you will contact us by email at budgetwise@hebisd.edu so we can provide answers.
 
See you at the polls in November!

Matt Romero
Board President 
Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District

Joseph Harrington, Ed.D.
Superintendent 
Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District