GCISD Keeps Taxes Low
Current Total Tax Rate is Lowest in 5+ Years
GCISD lowered its tax rate for the 2024-25 fiscal year to $0.9014 per $100 valuation. This continues with a multi-year trend of reducing taxes.
In November of 2024, a voter-approved tax ratification election (VATRE) passed a three-cent increase in the M&O rate through "golden pennies." This increase was already offset by a tax reduction in the I&S side of the budget set by the Board of Trustees earlier that year.
The total tax rate consists of two separate tax rates: Maintenance and Operations (M&O) and Interest and Sinking (I&S). ONLY funding received through the M&O tax rate may be used for:
- Day-to-day operations
- Salaries
- Utilities
- Vehicle repair, maintenance and fuel
- School supplies and materials
- SROs and additional safety measures
- Custodial supplies
- Ground and building maintenance
Funding received through the I&S tax rate, which is the debt service fund, may ONLY be used to pay for voter-approved bonds.
The GCISD total tax rate has been reduced by more than 47 cents over the last 5+ years.
History of GCISD Tax Rate Reduction
Providing Long-Term Taxpayer Relief
This is GCISD's tax rate reduction history as presented by the CFO to the Board of trustees at the August 2025 meeting.
Balanced Budget Approach
Balanced Budget with Flexibility
As required by law, GCISD starts off every year with a balanced budget. This budget has a fund balance (savings account) to meet any unforeseen needs. The Board of Trustees passes the most conservative budget possible every year to try to protect the fund balance.
Zero-Based Budgeting
Our district currently uses zero-based budgeting. This method requires every expense to be justified from scratch before adding it to the budget (rather than relying on previous budgets).
Focusing Resources in Classrooms
It is of the utmost importance that GCISD focuses its resources where they are most needed -- in the classrooms. This means teacher pay and instructional materials. In accordance with this philosophy, every budget focuses on keeping resources in the classrooms.