FORT WORTH (WBAP/KLIF)- The Fort Worth ISD is considering a tax increase to help pay for items needed in light of COVID-19.
Superintendent Dr. Kent Scribner said in order to educate students under these circumstances, requires money.
Scribner said the funding will help to pay for teacher pay and health and safety needs like the additional cost of PPE, masks, shields, Plexiglass and fog machines.
Scribner said they also need funding to help pay for hot spots and technology for children without internet access, as classes will be online only for the first 6 weeks.
“The state of Texas is experiencing an up to $5 billion shortfall and we expect public schools to be affected,” he said. Scribner said the TEA will allow a flooring of funding until October 30th. “After that funding runs out we must be vigilant. Several of us will be down in Austin quite regularly,” he said.
Scribner said they want to be able to position the district for success, through and beyond the pandemic.
As for the tax increase, Fort Worth ISD Mike Ball said they will make a decision in August. “How the tax will affect the average home in the district, valued at about $168,000, will be about $13 dollars per month, a $250,000 valued house will be an additional $20 per month,” said Ball.
The deadline for the district to publish the proposed tax rate is August 7th and the deadline for the board to consider and adopt the tax rate for the 2020-2021 fiscal year is August 17th.