Spring ISD is requesting voter approval for a $0.05 tax increase in November to address a $12 million budget deficit and boost teacher salaries. Stagnant state funding and inflation are cited as key challenges.
Spring Independent School District (ISD) is proposing a $0.05 tax increase this November to address a budget deficit and increase teacher salaries, as a result of stagnant state funding and increasing costs. The increase, as per Superintendent Dr. Lupita Hinojosa, would enable the district to provide raises to experienced teachers who have not received salary increases in two years and alleviate a $12 million deficit.
Although Spring ISD has reduced its tax rate by $0.41 since 2018, it is currently seeking a modest increase to partially restore the reduction. The district continues to encounter financial difficulties despite recent budget adjustments, which included a $12 million reduction that impacted staff and programs. Dr. Hinojosa stated, "This $0.05 has the potential to eliminate our deficit and enable us to offer raises to all of our employees, with a particular emphasis on our experienced teachers."
The district conducted a survey to assess community sentiment and discovered that residents were more in favor of the tax increase when they were informed that it would be used to finance teacher raises. Spring ISD's enrollment remains below pre-pandemic levels, which further strains the district's finances. Despite inflation, state funding, which has remained at $6,160 per pupil since 2019, remains unchanged.
The tax increase, if approved, would allow Spring ISD to better support its student body and retain qualified educators in the face of the ongoing budget shortfall.
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