Spring ISD residents will vote this election season on whether to raise property tax rates, which would allow the district to increase staff pay and nearly eliminate a projected budget deficit. 

The item on the ballot, known as a Voter Approval Tax Rate Election, would raise property taxes by 5 cents per $100 in property value, generating about $20 million in annual revenue for the district. 

If approved, property taxes would rise $84 per year for a homeowner with a property valued at about $276,000, the average value in the district. Property taxes for Spring residents 65 and older are frozen and would not be impacted by the vote. 

Spring voters approved a 5 cent tax rate increase in 2022, when they backed a $850 million bond to renovate campuses, build new facilities and make several other upgrades. Unlike a bond, which can only be used for projects like new buildings or sports fields, a tax rate election allows the district to raise money that can be spent on day-to-day costs, including employee salaries.

Early voting begins Monday, with Election Day set for Nov. 5.

How would Spring spend the extra tax revenue?

District officials say the new tax rate would help the district close a projected $12 million deficit in its $345 million operating budget and leave enough money for at least a 2 percent raise for all employees. Spring officials said teachers would see an average pay increase of 5 percent. 

Spring already cut about $13 million in spending from its 2024-25 budget.   

Why does Spring have a budget deficit?

Districts across the state have faced budget deficits this year largely because Texas lawmakers have not significantly increased state funding to public schools since 2019. During the 2023 legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott tied additional school funding to a controversial school voucher program that did not pass.

At the same time, inflation has added to school district costs and some school districts have dipped into their “rainy day” funds to provide small pay increases to teachers. Many Texas school districts are struggling to hire and retain experienced staff, as fewer people go into the teaching profession and inflation-adjusted educator pay remains relatively flat.

Districts with declining enrollment and high rates of students missing school, which has skyrocketed since the Covid-19 pandemic, can deeply affect a district’s bottom line. Both issues have hit Spring in recent years.

How does Spring’s teacher pay compare to other districts?

Spring teachers generally make annual salaries of roughly $1,000 to $4,000 less than educators with similar years of experience in neighboring districts like Aldine, Conroe, Humble and Klein ISDs, according to district salary schedules. Teachers also can earn stipends and receive benefits that impact their total compensation.

Where can I find more information about the election?

To find out how the proposed tax rate increase would affect your property taxes, click here to use Spring ISD’s property tax calculator.

To learn more about early voting schedules or find a polling place near you, click here to read the Houston Landing’s voter guide.

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