An election to help fund Port Arthur Independent School District’s present and future needs has passed.

The Tax Ratification Election (TRE) passed with 654 voters, or 57.62 percent, voting in favor of the issue and 481, or 42.38 percent of ballots, voting against the issue.

“We’re just happy. We’re happy for our community and we’re happy for our students,” PAISD superintendent Mark Porterie said. “Our community has proven that education and the children of Port Arthur really matter.”

The TRE decided on whether or not voters would approve a 13-cent increase in the school district’s Maintenance and Operations (M&O) tax rate, from $1.04 to $1.17.

The new rate would generate an estimated $4.6 million in additional annual local revenue and an additional $1.3 million in state aid, bringing a net M&O revenue of $5.9 million to the district.

According to Porterie in an earlier interview, the additional revenue would be used to fund a number of services and salaries for the district and its employees, such as improved bilingual education, Virtual School, reading programs, social service needs for students, purchase of auxiliary equipment for transportation, maintenance and custodial operations and a salary increase for all PAISD employees.

Notably, the district has kept its promise and has not raised its Interest and Sinking (I&S) Fund tax rate; it is still below 32 cents per $100 property valuation.

“We are committed to making sure that all of our students strive to being successful,” Porterie said. “And we’re committed to our staff and making sure they’re comfortable, and (committed) to attracting new members and educators to our community.”

Additionally, the increased funds would help the district cope better with higher dues when the state takes added money from it through its school-funding formula.

According to school finance experts Moak, Casey & Associates, the average Port Arthur homeowner with a home valued at $52,065 would see their homeowner tax increase from $365 to $418, or a rise of $53 per year. MC&A said a portion of that increase would naturally come from an increase in the market value of their home.