Frisco ISD voters rejected a proposed 13-cent property tax increase that would have given pay raises to teachers and reduced class sizes.
58 percent voted against the tax increase.
"I know there's a lot of hurt feelings. There's a lot of people saying that a no vote was against our students and teachers. We're just looking at the financial responsibility and the partnership," said Frisco United member Joe Widner.
Frisco United is the political action committee who opposed the tax increase and argued to keep Frisco affordable.
"We believe with the money we have, we can prioritize and make everything work out, so we still have the best school district and the best education system for our kids," said Wyatt.
"We're willing to work together. We'd like to see workshops, we'd like to see further transparency and unification by them [Frisco ISD] with the citizens to make this happen the right way."
On its website, Frisco ISD said it'll propose a reduced budget for 2017-18 and the following years to make up a $30-40 million shortfall. A freeze to salaries, benefit contributions and hiring are suggested. There's also the possibility of bigger class sizes at all grade levels. In order to generate revenue, there could be a $300 participation fee for fine arts and athletics.
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"A lot of the teachers feel a little but unsupported, but I know we're not going to take that into the classroom," said Frisco High School teacher Megan DeWolfe. "I think as a parent, you should expect things to look different. I don't think as a parent you need to be concerned that Frisco ISD is going to drop the ball."
In a letter to teachers and staff, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jeremy Lyon, along with members of the Frisco ISD Board of Trustees, expressed their disappointment with the vote, but also their respect for the outcome.
“People move here and stay here, many at great sacrifices, to have their children with you each day,” Dr. Lyon and trustees wrote to staff. “FISD is special because of everyone here and that doesn’t change because of an election. We are proud to serve the students of FISD with all of you. The significance of what goes on in your classrooms and in your cafeterias, on your buses and in your cubicles, rises above all the rhetoric and transcends politics. We will roll up our sleeves and work to protect student programs and opportunities with reduced funding. Budget decisions will be made transparently and with many opportunities for input. The process will unite, not divide. Things will look different, but our students of FISD are depending on us and we will not let them down. We will not look back on this as a time of loss but a time when we came together. We will move forward together starting today.”
