A guide to 2026 San Antonio school tax elections
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At least five San Antonio-area school districts are asking voters to approve a tax increase on the November ballot. Some are also proposing bond issues.
Why it matters: Public school districts are staring down continued budget shortfalls amid rising costs, aging buildings and increased competition.
The big picture: Urban districts are seeing a drop in funding from declining enrollment — while some suburban ISDs are growing their headcount and looking to meet demand.
- All are competing to retain teachers and staff while funding building upgrades.
How it works: A tax rate election provides more funding for day-to-day operations. Bond elections support larger capital upgrades to buildings.
Here's what school district voters will see on their November ballots.
Northside ISD: The city's largest school district says a 3-cent tax rate increase would help reduce its budget deficit and support an employee compensation plan with an extra $21.5 million in annual revenue.
- Officials estimate the tax increase, Proposition A, will cost the average district homeowner an additional $5.98 per year.
- Propositions B, C and D are bond measures that total more than $886 million. They would support campus, technology, bus and natatorium upgrades; see a full breakdown online. Officials said taxes would not go up if the bonds pass.
San Antonio ISD: The city's third largest district says a 3.17-cent tax increase would create about $5.5 million in revenue. Officials want to use the money for college and career-readiness programs like dual credit and skilled trades pathways; support for high school students looking to be teachers; and a one-time compensation bump for staff.
- A proposed $600 million bond package has three propositions. They would fund building, safety and information technology improvements, as well as Alamo Stadium and Convocation Center upgrades.
- If voters pass all four measures, the average SAISD homeowner would pay an extra $39 annually by next year, eventually rising to an extra $69.12 by 2030, per district officials.
South San Antonio ISD: District officials are asking voters to change how the existing taxes are used, but not increase the rate. They're looking to shift money away from bond projects and toward day-to-day operations, per KSAT.
- The district would fund HVAC repairs and other building upgrades with the money.
East Central ISD: The growing suburban district is looking to increase the tax rate that funds its daily operations by 3.72 cents to gain an extra $5.37 million.
- The ECISD board decreased the portion of its tax rate that repays debt for bond projects. That means a new increase will amount to less than $1 per year for the average district homeowner, officials say.
- The extra money will go toward funding new teaching and support jobs and hiring armed security officers.
- District voters have rejected a tax rate increase the last two years in a row.
Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD: The suburban district northeast of San Antonio wants to raise its tax rate by 12 cents to earn an additional $15 million in annual revenue. It would use the money to fund employee pay and student programming like fine arts and athletics.
- The average district homeowner would pay an extra $216 annually, per district estimates.
- District voters rejected a tax increase last year.
What's next: Oct. 5 is the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 3 election.
- Early voting starts Oct. 19