San Antonio School Districts Face Deficits After Voters Reject Bond Proposals

San Antonio voters rejected most school district tax and bond proposals on Election Day.

Northside Independent School District, the city's largest system, sought a 3-cent tax increase to fund teacher salaries and close a budget gap. The measure failed. The district also proposed $886 million in bond funding. That money was intended for safety upgrades, technology, bus replacements, and the renovation of the 50-year-old George Block Aquatic Center. Voters turned down all three propositions.

Jessica Palomeras, the interim superintendent for Northside, told KSAT in September that the district would need to reprioritize its budget if the measures failed. She said they would review the finances to determine what projects could move forward. San Antonio Independent School District faced a similar outcome. Leaders proposed a 3.17-cent tax increase to generate $5.5 million in new revenue. That funding was earmarked for Career and Technical Education programs and dual credit initiatives. Voters rejected that tax hike along with three separate propositions. Those propositions covered new chillers, buses with seatbelts, police vehicles, network infrastructure, and stadium improvements.

Comal ISD and East Central ISD also saw their bond and tax measures defeated. Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District was one of the few winners. Unofficial results show voters approved a 12-cent tax increase with 51% of the vote. Nixon-Smiley CISD, located near Gonzales, won a different type of approval. Voters agreed to shift $0.11 from the interest and sinking tax rate to the maintenance and operations budget. This move will generate $1.2 million to help cover the district's deficit and support salaries. Seguin ISD also passed a tax increase by a narrow margin.

Pre K-4 SA voters passed Proposition A. This reauthorizes an existing 0.125-cent sales tax for another 20 years. Officials plan to use the funds to expand infant and toddler care. They also intend to increase childcare options for families who work nights and weekends.