Trustees of the Houston Independent School District voted last week to take Texas Comptroller Susan Combs to court if it loses its appeal over the value of property within the district. The appeal is pending before a state hearing examiner.
Combs’ office said the HISD property is valued at $110.7 billion, but the Harris County Appraisal District puts the value at $97.6 billion. The state said the local appraisal district undervalues commercial buildings and apartment complexes in Houston.
The school district said the discrepancy is costing it at least $3 million a year in state funding.
The comptroller’s office monitors local appraisal districts to ensure school districts get the correct amount of state aid. Districts with higher property wealth receive less state funding.
