Last day to Vote is
On the Ballot the school district is asking for money through VATRE.
VATRE = Voter approval tax rate election
The proposition for this tax increase will be located on the last item to vote yes or no for. Voting yes increases your taxes.
They have to have the tax payers vote on raising the rate.
Simple, you vote NO your tax doesn't go up, Vote yes and taxes increase.
They will not "FORGET" to raise your taxes and spend your money just because
You "FORGOT" to vote.
Put the reminder in your phone now and GO VOTE.
CIty of Rockwall is already planning on raising taxes for next year, voting yes will add to this increase.
Rockwall ISD Debt is already $1.4Billion
We are still paying for this and so will our children.
They tried passing a bond last year and it failed, it included millions of wasteful dollars that didn't go toward actually educating their students. Now they are trying to do it again through VATRE.
Rockwall has already gotten more money from the state this year, including $5000 teacher bonuses, increased safety funding, and more $ per student.
According to TEA (Teacher Education Agency) projects that the VATRE would result in Rockwall ISD generating approximately $4 million in excess Tier II funding, which would then be subject to recapture.
Meaning these millions do not go to our school district or our teachers.
They have recieved HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS from past bonds and other sources, yet still there are unfinished projects and broken promises.
They already make you pay for parking, your own childs game tickets, graduation tickets, uniforms, fundraisers, supplies, ect.
OUT OF THE RISD HANDBOOK:
"Athletics is a privilage not a right"
"Athletics is not required to graduate"
There are so many rules against Athletics... Why do they want millions to renovate fields, stadiums, speakers ect... Why are coaches the highest paid? Hypocrites?
Imagine you paying thousands every year to the school district for new stadiums and coach salaries when your child doesn't or can't play?
They say it is all about teacher salary raises, "other student needs", and safety.
They say "district will continue to be at a competitive disadvantage attracting and retaining teachers and staff."
They claim "a VATRE does not create new debt for the district, instead creates new funds"
Millions of that money will go to NON-Rockwall schools
meaning the state takes some of the VATRE money to give to poor rated schools around Texas.
64% of what is left of the funds will go to principles, teachers and COACHES salaries.
Coaches and Principles are going to make more $$?!? Check salaries below.
Starting Pay for teachers is very competitive compared to schools around us.
They get paid MORE or equal to districts that have more student load!
We will NOT lose Rockwall teachers to surrounding cities.
Most people wouldn't leave a place like Rockwall, look at the influx of people moving here and wanting to live here, it's fact. Teachers won't leave Rockwall to go make an extra 1-2K a year for a heavier workload....
The VATRE does add to the tax burden of ALL ROCKWALL tax payers.
It doesn't address the debt they already created, they want us to front the bill.
This even affects senior citizens. Your taxes may be frozen due to age, but going to sell your home sometime in the future? Passing it down to your loved ones? Own more than 1 property? Make any improvments?
YOU, YOUR FAMILY, OR BUYERS WILL PAY THOSE HIGHER TAX VALUES ON THE HOME. IT MAY DETER SOME FROM BUYING AS WELL.
WE ALL need to go out and vote NO or this new debt and burden will pass.
Rockwall has had it's light in the news many times... and not for good reasons.
In many instances they use school rescources (our $) to shield their employees when they are accused.
They use Our $ again to OPT out of UIL. (which prevents many Rockwall kids from participating in extracurriculars)
Jamie Palmer - Springer Elementary - Accused of sexual abuse, the school "accidently" deleted the camera footage, she kept her job.... lets give her a raise?!?
Marc Allison - Cain Middle - Arrested for online solicitation of a minor
James Smith - Utley Middle - Charged with sexual assault of child
John Harrell - Rockwall-Heath High - Under investigation for alleged misconduct for punishments that led to the injury of 26 athletes
3 Coaches - Rockwall Heath High - Under investigation for forcing cheerleaders in grueling workouts causing a student to be hospitalized
Josh Brining - Rockwall High - Under investigation
School Board Rockwall ISD - allegedly concluded they didn't have enough evidence to reimburse a student for medical bills, after being hospitalized because of these forced punishments.
Michael Paul Smith - arrested for invasive visual recording of female students.
A current on-going 2023 investigation of Rockwall ISD - Sexual Assault during a district-sanctioned program. The "lawsuit claims the district was negligent and attempted to cover up the incidents. The district stated it does not comment on pending litigation."
We will be investigating as many current employees of Rockwall ISD as we can. We will be requesting police and criminal records.
IF anyone has knowledge and sources of employees conduct, investigations or records please SEND THEM IN, we all deserve to know who is with our children. We demand transparency and accountability.
Starting pay Comparison
Rockwall - $61,500 18k students
Frisco - $62,000 67k students
Dallas - $55,000 141k students
Mesquite - $62,000 38k Students
Royce City - $60,000
Richardson - $63,000
Greenville - $56,000
Allen - $61,000
Wylie - $62,000
Sunnyvale - $59,000
Terrell - $60,000
Irving - $63,000
Mckinney - $63,000
Lewisville - $62,000
A teachers average work schedule to compare to your own.
8hr workday, 5 days. Approx 187/yr
TIME OFF: All holidays + extra days off (24 days/yr)
bad weather days off
all weekends off
no on-call
no night shifts
SUMMERS OFF
personal time off
lunch breaks
maternity leave
BENEFITS:
Paid extra for tenure
Paid extra for education
Paid Bonus Checks
Paid Incentives
Health
Retirement
Many discounts or free entry to many places "normal people" have to pay for.
There are approx 2260+ employees of RISD.
We will show you 18 employee salaries, that equall over 2.5 Million dollars... Use that to estimate our $$$ for 2,260 employees.
We also have some of the HIGHEST PAID COACHES.
According to govsalaries.com
The median salary of Rockwall ISD is 42% HIGHER than the USA median.
From 2023-2024, the average salary of employees at this employer increased 5%, the median salary increased 4.6%
Rodney Webb - $156k+
John Villarreal - $285k+
David Carter - $221k+
Mark Speck - $165k+
Mary Johnston -$165k+
Elizabeth Murphy -$165k+
Kelvin Stroy -$165k+
Todd Bradford - $153k+
Michael Hillman - $107K+
Brandon Downs - $91k+
Carol Ann Rosales - $91k+
Andrew Molck - $90k+
Megan Gist - $161k+
Magen Jacks - $87k+
Mary Pugh - $139k+
Kristina Bell - $81k+
Elsa Carter - $91k+