My name is Mark Stiles and I have chosen to support the education of the children of the Italy Independent School District by voting “yes” on Saturday October 11, 2008 in the tax rollback election. I take issue with many things in Paul Perry’s remarks concerning school rollback elections that were printed in Wednesday’s paper [Waxahachie Daily Light — Mr. Perry’s letter was published earlier today in the Neotribune]. Unlike Mr. Perry, I choose to send my children to school in Italy. Perhaps if he chose to do the same, Mr. Perry would “clearly see a need” to vote ‘YES’ in this election. I find it disappointing that Mr. Perry is so uninformed of the facts of this election. Reasonably, had he attended either of the two public forums sponsored by the Italy ISD, he would be more knowledgeable of the actual facts; thus, understanding the benefits and need of a successful election to better the education of our children — present and future.

I would like to address several issues that Mr. Perry raised in his article. First, he is correct in saying that voting for the rollback election tomorrow will raise your taxes. However, he hints that this is an underhanded ploy by the Italy School Board to fool the local voter. This is simply not the case. The wording “rollback election” comes directly from the language set forth by the State of Texas; therefore, the Italy ISD called the election by the same name. Secondly, Mr. Perry states that the Italy ISD wants to raise your tax rate during a recession which he calls, “a near criminal act.” It is a fact that the school’s expenses have gone up just like everyone else’s. Many areas, such as fuel and food costs, have increased by as much as 25-30%. In the meantime, the Italy ISD is operating on the same funding it received in the 2005-2006 school year. That simply will not add up.

Mr. Perry also states that the State of Texas increased taxation on businesses, cigarettes and other items, and he is correct on that issue. Some of the new tax dollars are considered “discretionary funds”; however, he is incorrect on how these funds are distributed to the school districts. The discretionary funds are set aside only for those districts who set their tax rate above the $1.04 per $100 value state maximum tax rate. Local school districts have the right to ask their voters to increase their tax rate up to an additional 13 cents per $100 value for a maximum rate of $1.17 per $100 value. Amazingly, this rate is 33 cents less than the Italy ISD rate was in 2004. In exchange for this local increase, the state will contribute additional dollars in the discretionary funds mentioned above. If the voters of the Italy ISD approve this election, they will be voting to increase their overall taxes an average of $8 per month. In turn, for the entire district that will be a total of approximately $102,700 in local tax dollars. In exchange, the state will contribute approximately $378,800 to Italy ISD from the discretionary fund, which is a return on investment of over 368%. The combined total of this increased funding will yield the Italy Independent School District $481,500 in additional funds this year, and every year thereafter, unless the state passes alternative legislation.

Mr. Perry also accuses the Italy ISD of trying to “sneak the election in and have only their buddies vote” in the election by having it this Saturday instead of in November during the general election. He further states that this decision will result in an extra cost to the local taxpayer. This is not the case. The reason for having the election tomorrow is so that the tax rate will be set in time for Ellis County to properly calculate the tax bills for 2008. If the election were held in November, the county would not have had time to assess the new rate. Having the election in October does not cost the local taxpayer any more than holding it in November. The cost would be the same either way.

Next, Mr. Perry admonishes the Italy ISD for hiring an outside consultant to “quarterback” the election. As a business owner and former elected official, Mr. Perry should understand that it is unwise to enter into a proposition such as this without proper counsel. To do so would surely waste the taxpayers’ time and money. Furthermore, the cost of the consultant is $3,000 — a small price to pay to ensure the Italy ISD patrons the rules and regulations of the state education laws were followed.

Mr. Perry also states that the school district plans to spend part of the increased funds on “overly large employee raises and that they tried to hide that big pay raise in the budget.” The fact of the matter is the Italy ISD Board has proposed a $250 annual increase for teachers and a 5% increase for the non-professional staff such as the maintenance and cafeteria staff, if the election is successful. The total cost of these raises will only be approximately $50,000. The administrative staff (the superintendent and the principals) would not receive a raise as a result of this election. It should be noted that the nonprofessional staff has not received a pay raise of any sort in over 5 years. Quiet frankly, I am not aware of ANY employee or staff member of Italy Independent School District who is over paid. Italy ISD has an exceptional staff and the district must remain competitive with the salaries offered by other local districts in order to retain them. Furthermore, the district never tried to “hide” these raises. This issue was openly addressed at the public forums and in three newspaper articles.

In addition, Mr. Perry states that Italy ISD plans to spend some of the increased funds on capital improvements. The actual plan is to address the replacement of deteriorated roofs and out-dated BVAC units and lighting. These areas must be addressed immediately in order for our children to have an environment that is safe as well as conducive to learning. If this election fails, Italy ISD will be forced to seek a bond election to address these issues. In a bond election, all of the funding will come from the local taxpayer and none will come from the state. With the tax rollback election, the taxpayers of Italy ISD will benefit from the discretionary funds set aside by the state.

Conveniently, Mr. Perry does not address the fact that the Italy School Board does not intend to spend all of the additional funds that would be raised as a result of this election. The board plans to put $250,000 in the district’s fund balance (savings account), which is more than 50% of the money raised. The reason for doing so is to save for a rainy day, as required by the state. It is mandated that school districts maintain three months of operating expenses in their general fund. While the Italy ISD is very close to this amount, it is their intention to meet and exceed this amount as soon as possible.

Importantly, it should be noted that if the election passes, homeowners who are 65 years of age and older will NOT have an increase in their tax bill. Their rate is frozen and will remain so regardless of the outcome of this election.

At this time next year, without the increased funding from the tax rollback election or a potential bond election, the Italy ISD will either have to deficit spend or layoff personnel in order to balance the budget. Neither of these choices seem logical to me. If you agree, please make it a priority to cast a vote of “Yes” in tomorrow’s election. Voting will take place from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at Wayne Boze Building in Italy.

Mark W. Stiles,
a concerned parent;
Sr. Vice President of Trinity Industries — Dallas, Texas;
President of Stiles Land & Cattle Company, L.L.C. — Italy, Texas;
Member of the Texas House of Representatives, 1983-1999