Based on unofficial election results, with all precincts in Hays, Caldwell and Guadalupe counties reporting:
- 16,267 votes, or 56%, have been cast in favor of approving a voter-approval tax rat election for San Marcos CISD.
- 12,373 votes, or 44%, have been cast against approving the VATRE.
Updated 11:11 p.m. Nov. 5
Based on early voting election results, 14,505 votes, or 57.73%, have been cast in favor of approving a voter-approval tax rat election for San Marcos CISD.
10,620 votes, or 42.27%, have been cast against approving the VATRE.
Votes are coming in from Hays County.
Updated 9:31 p.m. Nov. 5
Based on early voting election results, 14,126 votes, or 57.74%, have been cast in favor of approving a voter-approval tax rat election for San Marcos CISD.
10,338 votes, or 42.26%, have been cast against approving the VATRE.
Votes are coming in from Hays County.
Updated 8:34 p.m. Nov. 5
Based on early voting election results, 12,725 votes have been cast in favor of approving a voter-approval tax rat election for San Marcos CISD.
8,334 votes, or 39.6% of early ballots, have been cast against approving the VATRE.
Votes are coming in from Hays County.
Posted 7:51 p.m. Nov. 5
Based on early voting election results, 12,215 votes, or 57.69% of early ballots, have been cast in favor of approving a VATRE for San Marcos CISD.
8,968 votes, or 42.34% of early ballots have been cast against approving the VATRE.
Polls closed at 7 p.m., and results have started to come in from Hays County.
Explained
A VATRE is required when a school board adopts a tax rate that exceeds the district’s voter-approved tax rate, according to the Texas Association of School Business Officials.
The current voter-approved tax rate of $0.9952 utilizes $0.6769 toward maintenance and operations, or M&O, and $0.3183 for the payment of principal and interest on bond debts, or I&S.
However, the SMCISD board of trustees approved a tax rate of $1.0152 during an Aug. 26 board meeting, consisting of $0.6969 for M&O and $0.3183 for I&S.
This approved rate is above the current tax rate, requiring the ballot measure.
How we got here
Officials placed the VATRE on the ballot in an effort to help offset the district’s $17.62 million shortfall for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
The 2024-25 budget was approved in June and included $102.93 million in expenditures, leading to the shortfall.
Officials said the tax rate would revert back to $0.9952 if the VATRE is not approved by voters. However, if it is approved, the increased tax rate of $1.0152 could help garner an additional $2.7 million-$2.8 million in funding every year, as previously reported by Community Impact.
SMCISD Chief Communications Officer Andrew Fernandez said these funds would not be subject to recapture, but certified property values, average daily attendance and enrollment would play into that figure each year.
