Del Valle ISD board member reinstated after homestead exemption filing error

DEL VALLE, Texas (KXAN) -- The Del Valle Independent School District's board reinstated a trustee member during its meeting Tuesday after he previously had vacated his seat due to filing homestead tax exemption paperwork in another district last year.

In June 2023, the district said Damian Pantoja, District 2, filed the exemption paperwork for residency in Austin ISD to obtain the exemption, according to DVISD.

Since Pantoja filed his exemption paperwork in the AISD jurisdiction, he “immediately and automatically ceased holding office in Del Valle ISD,” according to the district.

Pantoja then called for the board to call a special election to fill the remainder of the term.

After Pantoja was sworn in on Tuesday, he was asked to come around and take his seat before proceeding with the remainder of the board meeting.