Fifth-grade student Andrew Uribe raises his hand during class at Price Elementary School in San Antonio on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. South San Antonio ISD managers called a tax rate election for the November ballot.
Katina Zentz/San Antonio Express-News
Voters in South San Antonio Independent School District will decide on a tax rate increase in November — but even if they approve the change, residents will not see an increase to their current rate, officials said.
If voters pass the increase, the district’s tax rate will remain at $1.197 per $100 of property value. South San Antonio ISD’s board of managers unanimously approved putting the measure on the Nov. 3 ballot.
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The district had to seek approval from voters to shift part of the tax rate from one side — interest and sinking, which pays for debt and bonds — to another — maintenance and operations, which pays for day-to-day expenses. Making the change requires voter approval.
“Essentially it is not an increase, it is level across the board,” Stan Osborne, South San Antonio ISD’s chief financial officer, said on Monday. “We are asking for that tax increase on that (maintenance and operations) side of the program, but in total, we’re still at $1.19.”
The proposed tax increase would fund building upgrades, salary boosts for auxiliary staff and paraprofessionals, new technology and new band equipment for middle and high school students. Districts typically use tax rate increases to pay for daily operating expenses and staff compensation while bonds fund facilities work.
While other districts in Bexar County work to tackle multimillion dollar budget deficits, South San Antonio ISD has a budget surplus. If voters approve the shift, the district would receive another $2.8 million annually, according to ballot language.
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With the tax rate funding, South San would have more than $90 million in revenue to work with, Osborne predicted in July. Projected expenses fall under $85 million, he said.
In a July meeting, Osborne explained that the proposed $85 million budget for the 2026-27 year is based on the current tax rate. If the November measure passes, Osborne’s team will come back to the board with an amended budget putting the additional funds toward deferred maintenance.
Why does South San want a new tax rate?
District buildings are aging and in need of repair. The district’s two oldest campuses, Hutchins and Price elementaries, are both 73-years-old.
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Superintendent Saul Hinojosa said the district already had to dip into its surplus to address emergency maintenance issues, including roof leaks during a heavy rainstorm and broken air conditioning units over the summer.
“If we pass the (tax increase), all of these things that are starting to pile up will be taken care of,” Hinojosa said in a July board meeting. “Kids need air conditioning, obviously, right? And they need a roof where water’s not falling on their head, right? So, we’re going to make sure that the kids’ needs are met.”
Eight HVAC systems could be upgraded with the tax increase funds, at a cost of just over $1 million.
The district needs $15 million to make all deferred HVAC repair or replacements, according to a district presentation. SSAISD officials estimate they will need over $19 million to make all needed HVAC repairs by 2033. In 2024, district officials estimated that South San needs to invest over $2 million in deferred roof maintenance.
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South San Antonio ISD also would use over $500,000 to replace lighting fixtures at eight campuses. Other needed building improvements include fixing eight elevators that are now considered obsolete, because they are so difficult to service.
Several other area school districts have also called bond or tax rate increase elections in November, including San Antonio, Northside, East Central, Comal and Schertz-Cibolo-Univeral City ISDs.
The deadline to register to vote in the election is Oct. 5. Early voting begins Oct. 19. Election Day is Nov. 3.
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