Socorro ISD Board Places Tax Rate Increase on November Ballot

The Socorro Independent School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously on August 18 to place Proposition A on the November 3 ballot. The measure asks voters to approve a higher operating tax rate to generate $49.2 million in new annual funding for the district's Maintenance and Operations budget.

District officials intend to use the funds for teacher compensation, student programs, safety, technology, and the replacement of buses and HVAC systems. Superintendent James Vasquez stated the funding is necessary to protect jobs and remain competitive with neighboring districts while addressing inflation and unfunded state mandates. The district estimates that a home valued at $250,000 would see a tax increase of $10 per month, though disabled persons and senior citizens with appropriate exemptions will not be affected.

In a separate action in San Antonio, the South San Independent School District board also approved a November ballot proposal. Unlike the Socorro measure, the South San proposal seeks to reallocate existing tax revenue toward daily operating costs without increasing the overall tax rate of $1.19 per $100 of taxable property value.