Spring ISD is proposing a tax rate election with voter approval in November to address a growing budget deficit and ensure competitive pay for teachers. The district is seeking a $0.05 tax increase, citing budget challenges since 2019 due to stagnant state funding and rising inflation.

According to Superintendent Dr. Lupita Hinojosa, the state has not increased the base allocation for schools since then, leaving SISD with the same $6,160 per student while facing increasing costs.

“We invest more in our students than the amount of money we get from the state and taxes,” she said.

The district is also struggling with declining enrollment, missing about 1,000 students from pre-pandemic numbers, further straining its finances.

In response, SISD has cut its budget over the past two years, reducing its staff and programs. This year alone, $12 million has been cut, affecting campuses, central office operations and support services. Despite these efforts, the district still faces a $12 million deficit.

Teachers, the pillar of the education system, have not received a raise for two years. Dr. Hinojosa emphasized the need for the district to remain competitive in salaries in order to retain qualified staff, especially experienced teachers.

“This $0.05 could potentially eliminate our deficit and allow us to offer raises to all of our employees, but especially our experienced teachers,” Dr. Hinojosa said.

The district has already reduced its tax rate by $0.41 since 2018, and the proposed increase aims to restore only part of that reduction.

SISD conducted a community survey before moving forward with the VATRE proposal, working with a research firm to gauge taxpayer opinions. The survey found that although residents were initially hesitant about any tax increases, they were more supportive when they were informed that the funds would be used to increase teachers’ salaries.

Ann Westbrooks, the district’s finance director, explained that the $0.05 increase was chosen because it would not only balance the budget, but also provide much-needed raises for teachers with three to 24 years of experience.

“We ask for what we need, no more,” she said.

VATRE would allow the district to tap into “golden cents,” which would generate additional revenue for the state in addition to local tax dollars.

SISD actively informed the community to raise awareness of the upcoming elections, hosting meetings with parents, staff and community members. They also attended events like National Night Out and open days to engage the public. The district has created a dedicated webpage with detailed information about TVARE, including FAQs, flyers and a calculator for homeowners to estimate how much the tax increase would cost them.

Despite these efforts, the district has made it clear that VATRE is only a temporary solution.

“Our state legislators must adequately fund public education,” Dr. Hinojosa said, emphasizing that the district will continue to push for better state funding when the Texas Legislature reconvenes in January.

The tax rate increase will be on the ballot in the Nov. 5 election, and SISD leaders hope the community will recognize the critical need to invest in the district’s future.

“If we want Texas to remain competitive, we must educate the future workforce,” Dr. Hinojosa said.

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