Voters living within Spring ISD boundaries did not pass Proposition A in the Nov. 3 general election, according to unofficial results.
Prop A failed with 54.95% of voters casting a ballot against it. All results are unofficial until canvassed.
The overview
The proposition appeared on ballots after the Spring ISD Board of Trustees called a voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, in August. It was designed to increase funding for the district through $5.6 million in additional local revenue and $9.9 million in extra state funding that the local investment would have unlocked, according to the district.
The district’s property tax rate will remain at $1.1069 per $100 of home value, a reduction from the previous year’s rate of $1.1369 per $100 in valuation, according to the district.
In a statement to Community Impact, Spring ISD said the additional revenue would have helped “address rising operational costs, support teacher and staff compensation and sustain essential student programs.”
“While we respect the community's decision, our commitment to students remains unchanged,” the statement read. “Our leadership will continue listening, strengthening community partnerships and making thoughtful decisions to ensure every student has access to a high-quality educational experience.”
If approved, the proposition would have increased the local property tax rate to $1.1569 per $100 in taxable home value. This would have been a two-cent increase compared with last year, according to the district.
Based on the average home cost of $248,315, the average homeowner with a homestead exemption would have paid roughly an additional $22 per year in taxes.
The local impact
Money from VATREs can only go toward maintenance and operations in the annual budget, according to the district. Prop A would have helped fund teacher salaries, utilities, transportation, supplies, classroom needs and other day-to-day operations, per the district.
The funding would not have been allocated toward any capital improvements, nor would there have been an impact on the bond program, according to the district. Voters approved an $850 million bond in 2022 that has funded projects in the following categories:
Spring ISD is now left to grapple with the $15.5 million voters left on the table.
Without the increased property tax rate, the projected deficit sits at about $33.1 million, communications director Fabiola San Roman confirmed.
The district has made moves to address the ongoing deficit, including closing two schools this year, Community Impact previously reported.
Also of note
In a statement, Superintendent Kregg Cuellar said he remains “optimistic and encouraged by the level of support we received from our community.”
“The fact that 45% of voters supported Proposition A tells me that we are moving in the right direction, but we also recognize that earning and maintaining our community's trust is an ongoing responsibility,” Cuellar said. “We have important work ahead, and our commitment to students remains unchanged.”
Over the next few weeks, district officials will “focus on listening to community feedback, understanding voter perspectives and identifying opportunities to strengthen relationships with families and stakeholders,” according to a press release from the district.
The board is scheduled to meet Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. in the Gordon M. Anderson Leadership Center.
