What is Proposition A?
Proposition A is a voter approval tax rate election that would allow Seguin ISD to generate $2.3 million in new revenue in the current school year and continue to generate revenue in future years. If passed, the money would impact every district employee and student in the 2024-2025 fiscal year and coming years.
Why is Seguin ISD calling for this election?
The State of Texas has not raised the basic allotment for public schools since 2019, yet costs continue to rise due to inflation. The lack of additional funding forced Seguin ISD to adopt a deficit budget over the past few years, including a $4 million deficit for the current school year. The district is looking at opportunities to generate new revenue without detriment to students, staff, and its facilities. 57% of the revenue generated by Proposition A would come from the Texas Education Agency in the form of state funding.
The passage of Proposition A would help Seguin ISD increase teacher and employee salaries, recruit and retain staff, and maintain its student programs. While its starting pay is higher than districts such as Marion ISD and Navarro ISD, Seguin ISD struggles to stay competitive in the San Antonio and Austin markets as Texas continues to face a teacher shortage. There were 22 open positions on the first day of school, and many remain vacant.
How much does Seguin ISD spend on salaries?
About 80% of the district’s expenses are staff salaries.
How much money would Prop A generate, and how does Seguin ISD plan to spend it?
Proposition A would generate $2.3 million in new total revenue in the 2024-2025 school year to support teacher and employee salaries and maintain the district’s student programs. $1.3 million of this revenue would be coming from the Texas Education Agency.
What happens if voters do not pass Prop A?
The deficit budget adopted for the 2024-2025 school year is unsustainable. If Prop A does not pass, the district will seek alternate options to reduce its deficit. Those options include larger class sizes, reduced student and staff travel for extracurricular events, and minimal raises.
How much is the proposed tax rate?
The tax rate adopted by the Board of Trustees is $0.0138 lower than last year's, but Texas law requires voter approval. Seguin ISD has decreased its total tax rate by 34 cents since 2018. There would not be an increase in the total tax rate compared to last year if Proposition A were to pass.
How would Prop A affect taxpayers who are over 65 or disabled?
Both homeowners age 65 and older or who are disabled who apply for and receive an exemption will not have an increase over their frozen dollar amount unless the homeowner makes substantial improvements to their property.
How would Prop A affect a homeowner’s school taxes?
If Prop A passes, it will result in a slight decrease in a homeowner’s tax bill compared to the prior tax year if the property’s value remains the same.
What makes up a school district’s tax rate?
Two tax rates combine to make a school tax rate; the maintenance & operations (M&O) tax rate and the interest & sinking (I&S) tax rate. The M&O tax rate goes toward day-to-day expenses such as salaries, utilities, and school maintenance. The district’s I&S tax rate pays the district’s bond debt. The two rates combined make up Seguin ISD’s current tax rate.
How long has Seguin ISD’s operating tax rate been $0.7316?
The District’s tax M&O (maintenance & operations) tax rate was set at $1.06 in 2018. In the 2023-2024 school year, the M&O rate was set at $0.7316. With Proposition A, the M&O tax rate would be set at $0.6978.
How does Seguin ISD’s total tax rate compare to nearby school districts?
Navarro ISD - 1.1827
San Antonio ISD - 1.1553
Marion ISD - 1.1339
Seguin ISD - 1.1028
La Vernia - 1.0619
Comal - 1.0869
Would Seguin ISD have to pay the state recapture on funds generated through Prop A?
No, Seguin ISD would not have to pay the state recapture on funds generated through Prop A. These are what are known as “golden” pennies, which are not subject to recapture. All the new revenue generated by Prop A would remain in the district, and 57% would come from the State of Texas.
When is the election?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5.
All polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where can I find accurate information about Prop A?
School districts are legally bound to present only factual information to the public. You can find factual information, graphics, and videos at www.SeguinISDPropA.com.
When is early voting and where can I early vote?
Early voting starts Monday, October 21, and runs through Friday, November 1.
Early voting is open:
- Monday, October 21 to Friday, October 25 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday, October 26 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Sunday, October 27 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Monday, October 28 to Friday, November 1 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Those who wish to vote early may cast their ballots at the Seguin ISD Administration Building, 1221 E. Kingsbury; or the Seguin Election Office, 215 S. Milam.