Houston ISD leaders say they have no plans to order reappraisals of properties damaged by Hurricane Harvey, even though lowering the values could save taxpayers an estimated $40 million.

Reappraisals would come at a big cost to the already cash-strapped school system, officials said.

In the months since Harvey made landfall in Texas, taxing districts across the region have debated whether to authorize reappraisals, which would reduce property owners' tax bills for September, October, November and December. School districts have been closely watched because they levy the largest local property taxes, typically accounting for about 40 to 60 percent of tax bills.

The Conroe, Humble, Katy, Lamar, Magnolia and Spring Branch ISDs are among those to order reappraisals of storm-damaged properties within their boundaries.

Some state government legislators, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Public Education Committee Chairman Dan Huberty, have encouraged taxing districts to authorize reappraisals.

In a videotaped statement posted Monday, Patrick criticized districts that haven't ordered reappraisals, specifically calling out the Harris County government.

"I believe that's wrong, and I'm sure property owners agree," Patrick said.

Early estimates showed about 105,000 property owners in Houston ISD's taxing jurisdiction would benefit from reappraisals, saving an estimated $40 million, officials said. Several state leaders have promised that districts would be reimbursed for revenue lost to reappraisals - but they haven't set aside any dedicated money, and the Legislature doesn't reconvene until 2019.

"I don't think it's something we would even think about until it's in writing," Houston ISD Board of Trustees President Wanda Adams said.

In a statement, Houston ISD administrators confirmed there are "currently no plans" to seek reappraisals, but they did not elaborate on any reasons for declining to immediately seek them.

Trustees in several suburban districts have approved reappraisals in recent weeks, arguing they are a fair benefit to give property owners dealing with Harvey's devastation.

Those districts face much smaller losses in revenue and fewer storm-related costs than Houston ISD relative to district size, with the possible exception of Humble ISD. Earlier this month, Houston ISD administrators said they've already spent $80 million on Hurricane Harvey costs, and trustees last week approved a plan to spend up to $126 million to demolish and rebuild four campuses that were heavily flooded.

Of the region's hardest-hit districts, only Houston and Sheldon ISDs haven't approved reappraisals.

Sheldon ISD Board President Fred Rivas said trustees haven't decided whether to seek reappraisals, focusing primarily on repairs at their four storm-damaged campuses.

"We haven't had a lot of discussions about that right now, but it's a very good topic for us to talk about," Rivas said.

Huberty has suggested the state will provide direct aid or reduce state-mandated "recapture" payments for school districts that order reappraisals. "Recapture" refers to the state's method of collecting money from property-wealthy districts and redistributing it to poorer and more rural areas.

"On its face value, everybody should be trying to take advantage of this," Huberty said.