Spring ISD homeowners would pay about $55 more per year on a $250,000 home under a tax rate increase the Board of Trustees unanimously voted to place on the Tuesday, Nov. 3 ballot.

The measure, Proposition A, would raise the district's Maintenance & Operations tax rate by 2 cents, from $1.1369 to $1.1569 per $100 of property value. The district estimates it would generate $5.6 million in additional local revenue and unlock roughly $9.9 million in state funding, for a combined $15.5 million impact.

The board approved the election at its Wednesday, Aug. 19 regular meeting. On Thursday, Aug. 20, Superintendent Kregg Cuellar presented the plan to business leaders at the district's Business Partnership Luncheon, according to Texas state Rep. Charlene Ward Johnson, who posted about attending the event on X.

The money would fund day-to-day operations: teacher and staff pay, student programs, transportation and utilities. It would not go toward construction. Nor would it fund the district's bond program.

Board Trustee Winford Adams Jr. addressed that distinction at the Aug. 19 meeting, noting that a previous VATRE caused confusion among residents who wondered why bond money couldn't fund employee raises. "Bond funds are specifically for capital projects, while employee raises are part of our regular maintenance and operations," Adams said, according to the district's announcement.

Spring ISD, which serves approximately 33,590 students across 41 campuses, said it is managing financial challenges from declining enrollment, rising costs and state funding that does not fully cover some required expenses.

At the same meeting, Chief of Business Operations Tamika Alford-Stephens told the board the additional revenue would help maintain classroom instruction and support employee compensation while managing the district's budget shortfall.

Homeowners age 65 or older, or those with a disability homestead exemption, are generally protected by a tax ceiling and would not see an increase above that cap.

Key dates for voters: the last day to register is Monday, Oct. 5, early voting runs Oct. 19 through Oct. 30, and Election Day polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3.