Rockwall County, TX – Rockwall County voters are being asked—once again—to approve a property tax increase for the Rockwall Independent School District (RISD). The proposal, known as Proposition A, appears on the November 2025 ballot as part of a Voter-Approved Tax Rate Election (VATRE). District officials are promoting the measure as a modest, four-cent bump to the local Maintenance & Operations (M&O) tax rate, claiming it’s necessary to raise teacher pay and keep up with growth.

But a closer examination of the district’s own efficiency audit reveals a very different story. According to the audit conducted by Weaver and Tidwell, LLP and released July 31, 2025, the actual increase is nearly triple what the district is telling voters. The proposed M&O rate of $0.7869 per $100 valuation, up from $0.6692 in fiscal year 2024, represents an increase of $0.1177, or roughly 17.6%.

The Four-Cent Illusion

So how can the district claim this is only a “four-cent” increase when the audit clearly shows an 11.77-cent jump? The answer lies in the complicated world of tax compression—a system originally meant to lower school tax rates as state funding grew.

Under Texas law, as local property values rise, the state automatically “compresses” a district’s M&O rate downward to offset the windfall from higher valuations. For 2025, Rockwall ISD’s rate was scheduled to automatically drop by around seven to eight cents due to this compression formula.

Instead of allowing that reduction to occur, RISD is asking voters to override the compression, effectively freezing the rate at a higher level. By comparing the proposed rate not to last year’s rate, but to the lower compressed rate that would have automatically taken effect, the district is able to advertise the hike as a “four-cent increase.”

In plain terms: if voters say yes to Prop A, they’re not merely forgoing a reduction—they’re authorizing a permanent 11.77-cent increase per $100 valuation over what they actually paid last year. It’s an accounting sleight of hand that makes a substantial hike sound like spare change.

The Real Numbers

Rockwall ISD’s total proposed ad valorem tax rate for 2025–2026 is $1.0669 per $100 valuation. The district insists that taxes are “still going down” because homestead exemptions have risen and the overall rate is lower than in prior years. But that claim blurs the distinction between the debt service rate—which pays for bonds—and the M&O rate, which funds salaries, operations, and daily expenses.

According to the audit, the tax increase would generate an additional $16.5 million in local revenue—an 8.3% increase in operating funds—even before accounting for future property appreciation. The average Rockwall County home, now valued at $394,000, would see a $4,268 annual tax bill, up roughly $160 per year. But if property values continue their steady climb—over 40% growth in the past five years—this “small” increase compounds quickly. Within five years, that same homeowner could pay hundreds more annually even without another rate hike.

A District in Strong Financial Health

RISD’s own financial data doesn’t suggest a district in crisis. The audit shows that for fiscal year 2024, Rockwall ISD spent $10,483 per student, well below both its peer district average ($11,641) and the state average ($12,944). On the revenue side, the district collected $10,067 per student, again below both peer and state averages, but with healthy margins and a substantial surplus.

The audit also confirmed that RISD earned a “Superior” rating in the School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST), the state’s highest financial management score. The district holds an unassigned fund balance of $56.4 million, plus another $20 million in assigned funds—well above the state’s recommended three-month operating reserve. In fact, the district’s unassigned fund balance exceeds that benchmark by 27.3%, meaning it already has ample reserves to handle short-term needs or moderate cost increases without new taxes.

Teacher Pay and Staffing

RISD’s leadership justifies Prop A as essential to “retain and recruit quality teachers,” citing pay gaps between Rockwall and its peers. The audit, however, paints a more nuanced picture. The average teacher salary in Rockwall ISD is $63,142—slightly below the peer district average ($64,033) but above the statewide average ($62,463). The average administrative salary sits at $95,892, below peer levels but still above the state’s $94,609 average.

The district’s payroll accounts for 79.3% of all spending, slightly higher than both the peer average (78.9%) and state average (77.8%). Importantly, teacher turnover in Rockwall ISD is lower than its peers—19.3% compared to 20.3%—suggesting that retention may not be primarily a salary issue.

The district already employs a merit and performance-based pay system, and has made market adjustments within the last two years. These policies demonstrate an ongoing effort to stay competitive without necessarily increasing the tax rate.

Academic and Operational Efficiency

Academically, the district performs well. It earned a “B” rating (88/100) in the latest TEA accountability report, with 11 campuses rated “A” and eight rated “B.” Attendance rates exceed both the state and peer averages, while the district’s student-to-teacher ratio of 16.1 to 1 is slightly higher than the state’s 14.7 to 1, indicating efficient use of personnel.

Even in athletics and extracurriculars—areas that often draw criticism for overspending—RISD allocates a lower percentage of its budget to non-academic programs than many comparable districts.

Why Ask for More?

If Rockwall ISD spends less per student, holds strong reserves, and already pays competitive salaries, what’s driving the push for higher taxes? According to district officials, the answer lies in growth. Rockwall’s student population has increased by roughly 2.5% annually over the past five years, and new campuses are on the horizon. The district argues that additional funds are needed to hire teachers, expand facilities, and meet state-mandated safety requirements.

But skeptics point out that those costs could be absorbed through existing fund balances or internal reallocations, especially given the district’s consistent operating surpluses. Voters may reasonably wonder why a district with one of the healthiest balance sheets in the region needs to raise taxes now—particularly when the requested increase is being marketed with misleading math.

Long-Term Implications

The real burden of Prop A lies not in the immediate increase, but in its compounding effect. If property valuations continue to rise by a conservative 5% annually, a home valued at $394,000 today could reach roughly $503,000 by 2030. At the proposed rate of $0.7869, that homeowner’s M&O taxes alone would rise from $3,095 to nearly $3,960—an increase of 28% without another election or additional rate change.

When debt service (I&S) is factored in, total school taxes could easily surpass $5,000 per year within five years.

A Matter of Trust

Rockwall ISD has, by nearly every measure, managed its finances responsibly. It ranks high in fiscal integrity, demonstrates prudent budgeting, and maintains solid academic outcomes. Yet Proposition A’s framing raises serious questions about transparency.

By advertising a 4-cent increase when the audit clearly documents a nearly 12-cent rise, the district risks eroding the very public trust it depends on. For voters, the decision is no longer just about education funding—it’s about honesty in government and whether officials are willing to present the true cost of their proposals.

In the end, Proposition A is less about whether Rockwall values its teachers—clearly, it does—and more about whether taxpayers can trust the numbers being placed before them. As voters head to the polls, they’d do well to remember that in public finance, as in politics, what’s left unsaid often costs the most.

Rockwall, TX – Rockwall resident Eric Bott has issued an open letter to Rockwall ISD Superintendent Dr. Villarreal, CFO David Carter, Trustee Grant DuBois, Trustee Stan Britton, and the full Board of Trustees. Dated in the wake of explosive reporting from The Texan (October 27, 2025), Bott’s letter exposes what he describes as a pattern of misleading public statements, selective data, and potential coordination with a pro-VATRE political action committee ahead of the Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE).

Citing direct confirmation from Texas Education Agency (TEA) officials—who used Rockwall ISD’s own estimates—Bott reveals that passage of the VATRE would trigger recapture (or “netting”) of approximately $3.5–$4 million in local revenue, effectively sending taxpayer dollars out of the district despite repeated assurances to the contrary. The letter demands immediate retractions, full disclosure of PAC communications, and a commitment to neutral, factual messaging.

As PipkinsReports.com shares this letter in full, it underscores a critical community debate: With teacher raises achievable through existing budgets and new state funds, was the VATRE truly necessary—or has it risked long-term financial harm through recapture? Read Bott’s complete open letter below, complete with verified sources, and join the conversation on local education governance.

Subject: Open Letter: Rockwall ISD Recapture, Transparency, and Leadership

Dear Dr. Villarreal, Mr. Carter, Mr. DuBois, Mr. Britton, and Members of the Rockwall ISD Board,

This correspondence will be shared with local media and community stakeholders in the interest of full transparency and public accountability.

As a resident and taxpayer of Rockwall ISD, I am deeply concerned by the continuing pattern of incomplete and misleading information presented to the public regarding the financial impact of the Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE).

The most recent reporting from The Texan confirms what many citizens have questioning for months: under the proposed VATRE, Rockwall ISD will enter recapture.

According to The Texan (October 27, 2025):

“Officials from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) walked through the VATRE scenario using Rockwall ISD estimates with The Texan, indicating that the district will be subject to recapture should the VATRE pass.”

TEA calculations, based on the district’s own submissions, show roughly $3.5 to $4 million in excess local revenue that must be offset through a Chapter 49 netting agreement. The state will reduce the district’s aid by that amount. Whether called “netting” or “recapture,” the effect on taxpayers is the same: those dollars leave Rockwall.

Leadership and Communication Failures

1. False public statements about recapture
During multiple board meetings and in several public forums, David Carter, the district’s Chief Financial Officer, has repeatedly stated that Rockwall ISD would not enter recapture under the VATRE. While he carefully worded those statements to avoid saying “no way,” his phrasing consistently led the public to believe recapture was not possible.

In one particular meeting, while Mr. Carter was at the podium presenting to the board, Grant DuBois turned the discussion into what appeared to be a coordinated pitch for the VATRE. In that exchange, Mr. DuBois stated, “If we don’t pass this, I don’t see any other way – there’s no other way,” and then asked Mr. Carter to confirm whether he saw another option. Mr. Carter did not respond, allowing the implication to stand that passing the VATRE was the only possible way to fund district operations and pay raises.

Both the statements and the silence in that setting reinforced a misleading narrative that directly conflicts with TEA data and the agency’s confirmation to The Texan. These public misrepresentations must be corrected immediately.

2. Misuse of terminology and selective information
The district has relied on outdated TEA summaries that exclude the additional copper-penny revenue created by the VATRE. Once that revenue is included, the district’s local share exceeds its entitlement and triggers recapture. Continuing to cite incomplete figures misleads voters.

3. Coordination with a political action committee
The “Vote Yes for Rockwall ISD” PAC appears to have an open door to district information, receiving details and district-generated materials quickly and using very specific talking points in its campaign messaging. This creates the appearance of coordination between the district and a political organization during an election, undermining public trust and potentially violating election-communication rules.

4. Conduct unbecoming of a trustee
Stan Britton has repeatedly made public posts on his personal Facebook page and within teacher forums that repeat inaccurate district claims about recapture and the financial impact of the VATRE. While every citizen has the right to personal opinions, statements from a sitting trustee carry the weight of official authority. When those statements are inaccurate, they mislead voters and damage public confidence. I respectfully request that Mr. Britton publicly retract his statements or that the Board consider appropriate action.

5. Failure of transparency
Despite repeated citizen requests for clarity, the district has avoided direct answers about recapture, choosing instead to host selective meetings and private briefings promoting passage of the VATRE. That is not open governance; it is controlled messaging. Independent research by a citizen advocate with the Restore Conservative Roots Coalition reached the same conclusion: Rockwall ISD will enter recapture under the VATRE.

Furthermore, The Texan reached out to David Carter for comment in both of its recent articles, and he declined to respond. District spokesperson Renae Murphy also declined to comment when asked about recapture. When pressed to explain the roughly $4 million gap between the $20.4 million in new M&O revenue stated on the ballot and the $16.4 million reflected in the district’s own budget documents, Ms. Murphy was unable to give a clear answer. Her explanation did not reconcile the difference and only added to public confusion about where those missing funds would go. That lack of clarity once again underscores the district’s unwillingness to communicate transparently with taxpayers.

Required Corrective Actions

1. Retract and correct all public statements claiming that Rockwall ISD “is not subject to recapture.”
2. Acknowledge that the VATRE’s copper-penny tax rate triggers recapture under TEA’s calculations.
3. Disclose all communications between district officials and the “Vote Yes for Rockwall ISD” PAC.
4. Commit that all future district messaging during elections will be neutral and factual.

Verified Sources

1. The Texan, “Rockwall ISD ‘Netting’ Agreement Would Offset Recapture Payments by Reducing State Aid,” Oct 27, 2025
   https://thetexan.news/issues/education/rockwall-isd-netting-agreement-would-offset-recapture-payments-by-reducing-state-aid/article_c7bd96d9-07c9-48b8-9d8c-98eeb0d50b66.html
2. TEA Summary of Finances and Chapter 49 documentation obtained through Public Information Requests (available upon request)

This situation represents a serious failure of leadership and communication. Rockwall ISD’s credibility depends on honesty, not wordplay. The community deserves full transparency and an immediate correction of the public record.

It is also important to note that teacher raises could have been achieved within the district’s existing budget and recent state funding allocations. The VATRE was not necessary and has instead risked placing Rockwall ISD into recapture.

Sincerely,
Eric Bott
Rockwall Resident

** Eric Bott has lived in Rockwall since 2005 and runs his own consulting business specializing in technology operations. He is also a longtime grassroots activist dedicated to local accountability and representing Rockwall’s taxpayers and families.

Rockwall, TX – When money talks, it doesn’t whisper — and in Rockwall, it’s shouting from billboards, mailers, and TV ads. Behind the polished “Vote Yes for Rockwall ISD” campaign urging residents to support the district’s VATRE (Voter-Approved Tax Rate Election) lies a familiar cast of Texas developers, contractors, and political insiders — all with deep pockets and deeper interests in keeping the district spending big.

While the PAC’s glossy flyers and heartfelt slogans suggest it’s a grassroots movement of teachers and parents “standing up for students,” the campaign finance records tell a much different story. In reality, the PAC was created, funded, and operated by people who stand to gain financially from Rockwall ISD’s continued expansion.

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A PAC Built by Developers, For Developers

The Vote Yes for Rockwall ISD PAC was born on August 19, 2025. That same day, it received its first $10,000 — seed money courtesy of Meredith and Ryan Joyce, owners of a land development consulting firm that works with both commercial and residential projects across Texas.

It was an auspicious start — and a revealing one. The Joyces’ business depends on district growth: more schools, more infrastructure, more construction. In short, higher taxes mean higher contracts.

A few weeks later, the second $10,000 came rolling in from Terra Manna, LLC, a real estate development and land management company led by Bobby Harrell and Bret Pedigo. Terra Manna specializes in large-scale residential projects — the very sort of developments that flood school districts with new students and new tax demands.

Then came another $10,000 from Northstar Builders Group, a firm specializing in — of all things — school construction and development. The irony practically writes itself.

If the VATRE passes, Rockwall ISD keeps spending, schools keep expanding, and developers keep building. It’s a self-perpetuating cycle of “growth” — for them.

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The Builders’ Ball: Who Really Funds “Vote Yes”?

The PAC’s donor list reads less like a community support roster and more like a who’s who of Texas construction and development.

At the top tier:

• Joeris General Contractors, LLC – $5,000
• Z Constructors Nationwide – $5,000
• Matt Zahm (Z Constructors) – $5,000 (personally)
• RPRE, LLC – $3,500 (real estate brokerage and development firm)

These are not concerned citizens hoping to keep classrooms funded — these are professionals whose livelihoods are directly tied to district spending and capital projects.

Add to that a lineup of $2,500 donors, including:

• Chris Harp Construction
• Satterfield & Pontikes Construction, Inc.
• Glenn Partners (Architectural Firm)
• Billy & Julie Burton (private)

Then there’s the $2,273 in-kind donation from State Representative Justin Holland and his wife, Neely, for what they listed as “hats.”

$2,273 worth of hats? That’s either a new fashion trend in political branding — or a convenient way to funnel campaign merchandise under the radar. Holland, a familiar name in local politics, has long been an ally of the developer class, and his support here fits neatly into the pattern.

Other mid-level donors include Jason Volk Consulting, Noelle Fontes, and Brian Berry at $2,000 apiece.

At the $1,500 mark, the donor pool widens to include Elite Landscaping, PCI Construction, Skorburg Company, and Hanby Insurance, LLC — all companies that directly benefit from ongoing construction and development contracts in fast-growing communities like Rockwall.

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Follow the Money — and the Math

In total, the PAC has reported $96,068 in contributions. But here’s the number that matters: $89,273 — or 93% — came from developers, builders, and real estate professionals.

The PAC’s promotional materials claim they’re “standing with teachers.” Yet only about 8% of all donations — under $1,000 each — came from teachers or district employees.

In other words, the people being used as the public face of this campaign are the least financially involved in it.

The illusion of grassroots support masks what is, in fact, a highly coordinated and well-funded lobbying effort — one aimed at convincing taxpayers to fund the very projects that enrich the PAC’s donors.

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Big Money, Bigger Ads

The spending patterns are just as revealing. Since August, Vote Yes for Rockwall ISD has spent more than $27,000 on flyers and mailers, $9,000 on billboards, and even $3,000 on television ads — a heavy push for a local tax election.

They’ve also purchased $1,250 in ad space in Blue Ribbon News, the same publication that ran a “news article” touting the VATRE’s supposed benefits. The placement wasn’t coincidental — it was strategic.

And then there’s the expense that raised more than a few eyebrows: a $435.40 reimbursement to Meredith Joyce for “Car Polish Supplies.”

Car polish. From the same person who donated $10,000 in seed money.

One has to wonder what, exactly, was being polished — the campaign’s image, or something a bit shinier?

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The Real Stakeholders: Not the Kids, Not the Teachers

Let’s be honest: when developers and construction firms pour nearly six figures into a local tax election, it’s not out of civic virtue or classroom compassion. It’s because they see a return on investment.

Every new bond, every tax hike, every “yes” vote translates into another round of district-funded construction — and another series of lucrative contracts.

Meanwhile, teachers — the supposed heart of the movement — are relegated to bit players. Their donations are symbolic at best, swallowed up in a sea of developer dollars.

Even worse, the campaign’s slick messaging exploits their image. Smiling teachers in front of whiteboards, holding “Support Our Schools” signs, while the fine print reads like a blueprint for cronyism.

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Political Influence Runs Deep

The fingerprints of political insiders like Rep. Justin Holland only reinforce the perception that this isn’t about education — it’s about influence.

By lending his name (and hats) to the campaign, Holland helps cloak the PAC’s true motives under a veneer of community support. But his connections to the donor class are no secret.

When state legislators, developers, and contractors align to push a local tax increase, taxpayers should pause and ask: Who benefits most from this vote?

Spoiler: it isn’t the students or the teachers.

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Manufactured Consent

The “Vote Yes for Rockwall ISD” campaign is a textbook case of manufactured consent. Using big money, polished marketing, and local political connections, the PAC is attempting to sway residents into supporting a measure that serves private interests far more than public good.

It’s the same formula seen across Texas — from bond packages to tax rate elections — where growth and progress are invoked as cover for sweetheart deals and endless construction booms.

Rockwall residents deserve to know who’s funding the message before they cast their ballots.

Because when nearly all the money pushing a tax increase comes from developers, builders, and their political allies, it’s no longer a campaign — it’s an investment.

And like any investment, the people writing the checks expect a return.

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Bottom Line:
The Vote Yes for Rockwall ISD PAC isn’t a movement of parents or teachers. It’s a development-driven marketing operation, built to protect the flow of taxpayer money into the hands of builders, consultants, and political allies.

Rockwall voters should take note: when the people who build schools are the loudest voices demanding higher taxes “for the children,” it’s worth asking whether their real concern is education — or their next contract.