Spring ISD voters can ask questions about Proposition A during a virtual session Wednesday, Oct. 7 at noon via Zoom.

The district announced the session on X, inviting residents to learn about the proposed 2-cent tax-rate increase before the Tuesday, Nov. 3 election. The session will include a presentation and a Q&A. A Zoom link will be posted at propa.springisd.org.

Proposition A would raise Spring ISD's total tax rate from $1.1369 to $1.1569 per $100 of assessed value. For the average Spring ISD home, valued at $248,315, the increase would cost about $22 per year with a homestead exemption. Homeowners 65 or older, or those with a disability homestead exemption, are generally protected by a tax ceiling and would not see an increase.

As we reported Oct. 1, the measure would generate an estimated $15.5 million: $5.6 million in additional local revenue and $9.9 million in state funding unlocked by the local investment. The money would go toward teacher and staff pay and student programs. It would not fund construction.

If voters reject Prop A, the district would lose access to that $15.5 million. The total tax rate would actually drop to $1.1069 per $100 because 5 cents in "disaster pennies" previously included in the maintenance and operations rate are expiring, according to the district's Prop A website.

The district faces declining enrollment, rising costs and state funding shortfalls, according to a Spring ISD blog post from August. The board voted unanimously on Aug. 17 to place the measure on the ballot.

"Proposition A is about protecting that progress and making sure we have the resources to continue moving forward," Superintendent Kregg Cuellar said in an Aug. 19 district blog post after the vote.

The Wednesday session is one of four remaining community sessions after the district canceled previously scheduled in-person sessions at Westfield High School and Spring High School. The updated schedule includes an in-person session Oct. 14 at the Community Engagement Center, an in-person session Oct. 28 at Dekaney High School and a virtual session Nov. 2.

Monday, Oct. 5 is the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 3 election. Early voting runs Oct. 19 through Oct. 30 at all Harris County voting locations. Election Day polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.