Castleberry district voters approved a 13-cent increase in the property tax rate, raising it to $1.4533 per $100 of assessed valuation.  District officials said they need additional money for day-to-day operations, such as utilities, furniture, educational technology, salaries, and athletic and fine arts programs.

It was the second tax election this year for the district, which in May approved a $34 million bond package to build two replacement schools for aging campuses, renovate three campuses and add security measures districtwide.

Early voting turnout was high -- 307 -- in the small district, which includes River Oaks, much of Sansom Park and a bit of Fort Worth.   Unofficial results showed that the measure was approved by 76 percent of voters, passing 402-126.

The vote will raise the maintenance and operations tax to $1.17; the rest of the tax rate is for debt service.  The rate increase will bring taxes on the average home to $733, an increase of $5.50 per month.  The district also expects to qualify for an additional $1.6 million in annual state funding.

"The biggest concern we had was the economy," Superintendent Gary Jones said. "Asking voters to come up with the extra money is tough. However, they see the need and have seen the progress we've made in the district."

Posted Saturday, August 28, 2010
Star Telegram Staff writers Jessamy Brown and Shirley Jinkins contributed to this report.