Valley View ISD

08/21/2026

A Video regarding the need for Community Notes...

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08/21/2026

Have You Heard? Homecoming Is Hitting the Streets! Valley View ISD is making Homecoming history wi...

08/21/2026

COMMUNITY NOTES | TRANSFER STUDENTS & TUITION
Would Charging Transfer Students $6,200 Replace the VATRE?

A suggestion has been made that VVISD should charge its transfer students $6,200 per year in tuition because their families do not pay VVISD property taxes. It has further been suggested that doing so could generate enough money to eliminate the need for the VATRE.

This is a reasonable question to examine.

VVISD has now examined it using the district's actual 2026–27 state-aid template and transfer enrollment data.

FACT #1 — VVISD SERVES 105 TRANSFER STUDENTS

VVISD currently has:

851 total students

105 transfer students

Transfers represent approximately 12.3% of district enrollment.

VVISD currently has available classroom capacity and does not employ additional teachers specifically to accommodate these transfer students.

That matters tremendously when determining their financial impact.

FACT #2 — TRANSFER STUDENTS GENERATE SIGNIFICANT STATE AID

Using VVISD's latest 2026–27 state-aid template, the district modeled what would happen if all 105 transfer students were removed.

Using a 95% attendance rate, the 105 students represent approximately:

99.75 ADA

The estimated minimum reduction in VVISD state aid would be:

$778,127 annually

or approximately:

$7,801 per ADA

And there is an important qualifier:

That is the minimum estimated loss.

The calculation does not account for reductions in special-population funding that could also occur when those students leave.

Therefore, VVISD's actual funding loss could be greater than $778,127.

FACT #3 — $17,282 “COST PER STUDENT” DOES NOT MEAN EACH TRANSFER COSTS VVISD $17,282

This is the economic problem with the original argument.

Average expenditure per student and marginal cost per student are not the same thing.

VVISD already operates the classrooms.

We already employ the teachers.

We already maintain the facilities.

We already provide administration, security, technology infrastructure, utilities, insurance and other districtwide services.

Most importantly:

VVISD employs no additional teachers specifically because of its 105 transfer students.

When a student fills an available seat in an existing classroom, VVISD does incur some additional costs associated with educating that student.

But it does not incur another $17,282 simply because another student occupies that seat.

Therefore, subtracting an assumed amount of state funding from average expenditure per student and calling the difference a transfer student's unpaid “fair share” is not an accurate measure of the financial impact of that student.

FACT #4 — LET'S ACTUALLY TEST THE $6,200 TUITION PROPOSAL

If every transfer student stayed and paid $6,200:

105 × $6,200 = $651,000

That sounds attractive until we consider the revenue already associated with those students.

VVISD's financial model estimates that removing all 105 transfers would reduce state aid by at least $778,127.

And that's before considering the unknown additional effect on special-population funding.

More importantly, charging tuition does not guarantee that all 105 students remain.

A family with:

One transfer student → $6,200/year

Two transfer students → $12,400/year

Three transfer students → $18,600/year

Those families have access to tuition-free public education elsewhere.

If tuition caused students to leave, VVISD would lose the state aid associated with those students.

Meanwhile, because the district is not employing additional teachers specifically for transfers, much of the district's existing expense would remain.

FACT #5 — THE VATRE AND TRANSFER TUITION ARE NOT FINANCIALLY EQUIVALENT

The VATRE is projected to generate approximately:

$467,610 in annual M&O revenue

The proposed $6,200 transfer tuition would theoretically generate:

$651,000

only if every one of the 105 transfer students remained and paid the full tuition.

But VVISD's actual state-aid analysis now shows those students are already associated with at least:

$778,127 in annual state aid

And potentially more when special-population funding is considered.

Therefore, the appropriate question isn't:

“Could we multiply 105 students by $6,200 and get $651,000?”

Of course we can.

The appropriate question is:

“How many students would leave because of tuition, how much existing state aid would leave with them, and how much expense would VVISD actually eliminate?”

Those are the numbers that determine whether tuition makes financial sense.

FACT #6 — EMPTY SEATS DON'T GENERATE ADA

This is particularly important for a small rural district.

VVISD currently has classroom capacity available.

Our transfer students fill some of those seats.

They participate in academics, athletics, fine arts, CTE and extracurricular activities.

And their attendance contributes to the district's funding.

If a transfer student leaves, the classroom does not disappear.

The teacher does not necessarily disappear.

The building doesn't get smaller.

The electricity doesn't turn off.

But:

The student's ADA does disappear.

And VVISD's financial model now estimates the minimum state-aid consequence of losing all 105 transfers at:

$778,127 annually.

That leads to a simple financial principle:

An available classroom seat generating ADA is generally more productive than an empty classroom seat generating none.
THE BOARD'S POSITION

Texas law permits districts to charge tuition to certain transfer students within statutory limitations.

However, the fact that VVISD can charge tuition does not mean doing so would be sound financial policy.

At this time, the VVISD Board does not foresee charging transfer tuition for the foreseeable future.

The Board's reasoning is supported by VVISD's circumstances:

105 transfer students

12.3% of district enrollment

99.75 estimated ADA

At least $778,127 in associated state aid

Available classroom capacity

No additional teachers employed specifically because of transfers

and potential additional special-population funding that has not yet been included in the $778,127 estimate.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The suggestion that VVISD can simply charge transfer students $6,200 and replace the VATRE treats students as though they currently generate no meaningful revenue for the district.

The actual VVISD financial model says otherwise.

Removing the 105 transfer students is projected to reduce state aid by at least $778,127 annually, before calculating additional impacts to special-population funding.

The VATRE is projected to generate approximately $467,610.

That doesn't mean transfer enrollment and the VATRE are interchangeable revenue sources. They aren't.

It means that protecting enrollment can itself be an important part of responsible financial stewardship.

For VVISD, the question isn't whether we can charge students to fill available seats. The question is whether putting a $6,200 barrier in front of students who already generate significant funding—without requiring additional teaching positions—would make our district financially stronger.

Based upon VVISD's current financial analysis, the Board does not believe that it would.

Community Notes:
Provide the numbers. Test the proposal. Let the facts speak for themselves.

j

08/21/2026

🎉 Great news for Eagle Nation!

Valley View ISD has earned an A – Superior Achievement rating in the 2025–2026 Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST), with a district score of 96!

FIRST is the Texas Education Agency’s financial accountability system for public schools. It evaluates a district’s financial management practices and how effectively it manages the resources entrusted to the district.

An A – Superior Achievement is the highest FIRST rating a school district can earn.

We’re proud to celebrate this achievement and Valley View ISD’s continued commitment to responsible financial management and supporting our students, staff, and schools.

08/21/2026

COMMUNITY NOTES | “SURE PROMISE” — UPDATED

I apologize for the long post...

What Does the 2010 VVISD Letter Actually Say?

A 2010 Valley View ISD letter has recently been referenced using the phrase “Sure Promise,” with the suggestion that VVISD promised taxpayers it would never again levy an I&S tax or seek additional voter-authorized debt.

Because this is a historical public document, the fairest way to evaluate that claim is to look at the entire letter—not two words from it.

FACT #1 — YES, THE LETTER USES THE WORDS “SURE PROMISE.”

The 2010 proposal involved increasing the district's M&O tax effort while making a corresponding reduction in I&S.

Superintendent William Stokes described the proposal as an increase in M&O accompanied by the:

“sure promise of a corresponding reduction in I&S levy.”

That language is in the letter.

It should not be ignored or minimized.

But neither should the rest of the letter.

FACT #2 — THE “SURE PROMISE” WAS EXPRESSLY CONNECTED TO A CORRESPONDING REDUCTION IN I&S.

The complete phrase matters.

It was not simply:

“We promise there will never again be an I&S tax.”

It was a “sure promise of a corresponding reduction in I&S levy.”

In other words, the 2010 proposal involved moving tax effort from one side of the district's tax structure to the other:

M&O ↑ I&S ↓

That is the transaction the letter was explaining to voters.

FACT #3 — THE SAME LETTER EXPRESSLY ADDRESSED WHETHER I&S COULD EVER RETURN.

This is perhaps the most important portion of the historical record.

Superintendent Stokes wrote:

“Legally, a future board could choose to reinstate an I&S levy.”

That statement appears in the same document being cited as evidence that VVISD promised I&S could never return.

The letter therefore does not support the proposition that reinstating an I&S levy was legally prohibited.

FACT #4 — SUPERINTENDENT STOKES DID EXPRESS A STRONG OPINION ABOUT FUTURE BOARDS.

The complete context matters here as well.

After acknowledging that a future Board could legally reinstate I&S, Superintendent Stokes expressed his belief that doing so without a corresponding M&O reduction could damage the community's trust and make future voter approval of referendums more difficult.

That was an important commitment and expectation expressed by the superintendent at the time.

It should be acknowledged.

But an expression about what a future Board should do is different from saying future voters could never authorize another bond.

FACT #5 — THE LETTER ITSELF CONTEMPLATED FUTURE BOND ELECTIONS.

This is especially significant when evaluating the claim that the 2014 bond “broke” the 2010 promise.

The 2010 correspondence specifically discussed the potential impact that violating community trust could have upon the district's ability to pass future bond elections.

That would make little sense if the same letter were promising that VVISD would never again seek voter authorization for bonded debt.

FACT #6 — THE 2014 DEBT WAS VOTER APPROVED.

Four years later, VVISD did take on new bonded debt.

But there is a critical fact that should not disappear from the discussion:

VVISD voters approved the 2014 bond.

The Board did not simply impose new voter-authorized debt without an election.

The community was presented with another question.

The community voted.

And the voters approved it.

Therefore, two separate democratic decisions occurred:

2010: Voters approved the tax structure presented at that time.

2014: Voters subsequently approved new bonded debt.

One electorate cannot permanently prevent a future electorate from making a different decision when presented with a new proposition.

FACT #7 — THE 2010 LETTER DOES NOT SAY THE TAX STRUCTURE WOULD REMAIN UNCHANGED FOREVER.

There is an important difference between interpreting the spirit of a historical commitment and stating what the document literally says.

The letter does not say:

“VVISD will never again levy I&S.”

It does not say:

“VVISD will never again issue bonded debt.”

It does not say:

“Future voters may never approve another bond.”

And it does not say:

“The 2010 tax structure will remain permanently unchanged.”

In fact, the letter expressly acknowledges that a future Board could legally reinstate I&S and discusses future bond elections.

WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH THE 2026 VATRE?

This is where the historical discussion becomes especially relevant.

VVISD's current VATRE has been structured from the beginning as a conditional tax plan.

VATRE PASSES

M&O: $0.7489 + I&S: $0.1297 = TOTAL: $0.8786

VATRE FAILS

M&O: $0.6839 + I&S: $0.2545 = TOTAL: $0.9384

VVISD legal counsel has confirmed that the district may proceed with this conditional structure through the required legal process following the election.

Interestingly, VATRE passage again involves moving tax effort:

M&O increases while I&S substantially decreases.

The result under VVISD's conditional plan is a total tax rate 5.98 cents lower under the VATRE-passage scenario than under the failure scenario.

That does not make the 2010 and 2026 proposals legally identical. Texas school finance has changed considerably.

It does demonstrate why M&O, I&S and total tax rate should always be discussed together rather than examining one component in isolation.

COMMUNITY NOTE

Reasonable people may disagree about whether the actions taken after 2010 honored the spirit of Superintendent Stokes' commitment.

That is a legitimate historical discussion.

But the documentary record is considerably more nuanced than simply:

“VVISD made a Sure Promise never to bring I&S back and then broke it.”

The complete record shows:

YES — The words “Sure Promise” were used.

YES — VVISD promised a corresponding I&S reduction as part of the 2010 M&O proposal.

YES — Superintendent Stokes expressed strong concerns about a future Board reversing that arrangement.

AND YES — The same letter expressly stated that a future Board could legally reinstate I&S.

AND YES — The letter contemplated future bond elections.

AND YES — The new bonded debt incurred in 2014 was subsequently approved by VVISD voters.

THE BOTTOM LINE

History should be discussed honestly—including the parts that support criticism and the parts that provide important context.

The words “Sure Promise” are part of the 2010 letter.

They are not the entire 2010 letter.

VVISD encourages community members to read the complete historical document, review today's actual tax-rate numbers, ask questions, and draw their own conclusions.

Community Notes:
Provide the record. Provide the context. Let the facts speak for themselves.

j

08/21/2026

Yearbooks Are Officially on Sale, Eagles!

One district. One yearbook. A whole year of Eagle memories!

The 2026–2027 Valley View ISD Yearbook will feature students from Pre-K through 12th grade, capturing moments, activities, and memories from across the district.

Yearbooks are $55 through September 18.

Want to make your yearbook your own? Personalize the cover with your name and icons that represent your interests. Add four icons and save up to $20 with code YBKICONS.

Families and students can also share photos with the yearbook staff for possible inclusion in this year’s book.

Order Your Yearbook
jostens.com/inthebook

From our littlest Eagles to our graduating seniors, we can’t wait to capture this year!

Order your school's 2026-2027 Jostens yearbook today. Learn about yearbook ads and personalization options, Yearbook+® digital coverage and Photo Share.

08/21/2026

COMMUNITY NOTES | SUPERINTENDENT COMPENSATION

During public comment at a recent VVISD Board meeting, a statement was made that Superintendent Dr. Clifton James Womack received a $50,000 raise and earns approximately $250,000 per year.

Because superintendent compensation is a legitimate subject of public discussion—and because these records are public—we want to provide the actual numbers.

CONTRACTUAL SALARY

Dr. Womack's 2025–26 Board-approved contract lists an annual salary of:

$146,241

His 2026–27 Board-approved contract lists an annual salary of:

$153,553

That is an increase of:

$7,312 — approximately 5.0%

A $50,000 raise did not occur.

TOTAL COMPENSATION INCLUDING BENEFITS

When applicable benefits and contractual compensation are included, Dr. Womack's total compensation is approximately:

$163,982

That figure includes more than base salary and reflects the broader cost of compensation.

It is still not $250,000.

THE DIFFERENCE

Claim: $250,000

Actual contractual salary: $153,553

Total compensation including benefits: approximately $163,982

Difference between the $250,000 claim and total compensation: approximately $86,018

There is certainly room for reasonable disagreement regarding what any public employee should earn.

There should not be disagreement about what the public records actually show.

Our commitment is straightforward:

Provide the records. Provide the numbers. Let the facts speak for themselves.

j

08/21/2026

🔥🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ The heat is ON — and so are the Eagles!

Valley View Cross Country is headed to McInnish Park in Carrollton tonight for the Friday Night Hawk meet. They’ll be battling the course AND the Texas heat! ☀️💚

⏰ 8:20 PM & 8:50 PM

Stay cool, run fast, and GO EAGLES! 🦅

08/20/2026

Valley View ISD is excited to invite our families and community to our Homecoming Parade on Wednesday, September 16, 2026!

This year’s theme is The Eagles Eras Tour: Traveling Through the Decades.

Parade Details
Wednesday, September 16
6:00 p.m.

The parade will begin at Valley View High School, travel north on Lee Street, and conclude at the Christian Gathering Center, 301 Center St.

Immediately following the parade, everyone is invited to the Community Pep Rally at Valley View Town Square.

We hope our families will join us along the route as we celebrate Homecoming and begin a new Valley View tradition!

Parade information and updates:
vvisd.net/homecomingparade

08/20/2026

Road game vibes! 🏈✨
Eagles @ Muenster — Thursday, Aug 20 • 5:00 PM | 6:15 PM

Rock your green, black & white and show support as our varsity squad takes the field. Let’s make some noise on the road! 🦅💚🖤🤍