Message from Dr. Gene Burton, former Rockwall ISD Superintendent: The Value of the VATRE (Voter Approval Tax Rate Election)

Editor’s Note: The following is sponsored content paid for and submitted by Vote YES for Rockwall ISD, written by Dr. Gene Burton, former Rockwall ISD Superintendent. 

ROCKWALL, TX (Oct. 9, 2025) The Rockwall Independent School District is recognized across the state for being a high performing district in all aspects of student achievement. The district is often referred to as a “Destination District.” This reference is because families, businesses and teachers want to live and work in the communities served by the district.

The VATRE reflects a decision by the Board of Trustees to remain a “Destination District.” The necessity of proposing the VATRE centers on three critical components:

● Competitive Salaries for teachers and staff. Most recently, the district has lost quality teachers because other districts pay more. Most of these districts have previously passed a VATRE, allowing them to currently offer more competitive salaries than RISD. Passing this VATRE will provide the resources for the district to recruit and retain quality teachers and staff.
● Safety Measures to ensure that every effort is made to make our schools safe, and to ensure that unfunded state mandates are implemented.
● Special Education Services to ensure that every special needs student is given relevant and engaging instruction, and to implement unfunded state mandates.

Please be informed regarding the VATRE, asking these important questions:

1. Is it student focused?
2. Is it data driven?
3. Is it research based?
4. Will it ensure continuous academic improvement?

YES, the VATRE is student focused because the best teachers will remain in our district and will continue to deliver meaningful and relevant instruction.

YES, the VATRE is data driven because the data indicates many highly- qualified teachers have left the district due to lower pay. Only four districts in our region haven’t passed a VATRE, with only two of those being comparable districts. Teachers will take into consideration that they can drive just a few miles for a significant salary increase. With the passage of the VATRE the district will remain with the LOWEST TAX RATE with comparable districts. In addition, as the district has grown, so has the special education population. With this growth many new special education services and state mandates must be implemented and funded in order to serve every student’s needs. As well, we know that school safety is the highest charge of the district. It is imperative that the District leaves no stone unturned in providing the SAFETY AND SECURITY our kids deserve and our families expect. We absolutely must use all technologies and protective measures available. The VATRE will help fund safety strategies and initiatives.

YES, the VATRE is research based. Research shows that TEACHERS ARE THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT CLASSROOM FACTOR IN A CHILD’S LEARNING ACHIEVEMENT. John Hattie synthesized 1000 research reviews of 50,000 studies and found that the GREATEST INFLUENCE on student progression in learning is having highly expert, inspired and passionate teachers and school leaders working together to maximize the effect of their teaching on all students in their care (Hattie 2015, p.2; Hattie 2017).

YES, the VATRE is about continuous improvement because our most talented and dedicated teachers can remain in the district while providing the best financial situation for their own families. The “best of the best” teachers have the amazing ability to positively affect student learning, encourage lifelong learning and give our kids a head-start on their way to becoming a productive, contributing, engaged and fulfilled community and family members. I personally witnessed EXCEPTIONAL teachers that were dedicated, committed and passionate about providing meaningful learning experiences daily during my tenure as Superintendent of Schools. These teachers served as an example to and leader of other teachers, and the tradition of excellence in the classroom was replicated and elevated.

In closing, the Rockwall Independent School District is a quality district because we have highly motivated and talented students, amazing parental involvement and incredible support from business leaders and community members. Our teachers are the foundation of our schools’ success. In order to sustain the quality of instruction and learning experiences, we need to keep our great teachers in Rockwall ISD!

Please consider the positive results the passage of this VATRE will bring. Let’s continue to be a community that provides the SAFEST environment and the VERY BEST teachers and staff for ALL students by voting YES for the VATRE on November 4, 2025.

~ By Gene Burton, Ed. D, Former Superintendent, Rockwall Independent School District

Sponsored content paid for and submitted by Vote YES for Rockwall ISD. Publication of any public announcement or paid political advertisement on this site or in print does not imply endorsement by Blue Ribbon News. As a general practice, we do not publish unsolicited opinion letters—because we cannot fairly accommodate them all given our space and resource constraints—but we do accept paid content that follows our policies.

  GENE BURTON, Rockwall, vatre, voter approval tax rate election