Early results from the November 2026 midterm ballot show that voters in Bexar County rejected all five Voter‑Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) proposals and the accompanying bond measures put forward by local school districts. The defeats signal a tough fiscal environment for districts that rely on these local levers to fund daily operations and capital projects.
Northside Independent School District
Northside ISD asked voters to approve a VATRE that would have added $21.5 million in local revenue each year, plus an additional $24 million from the state through a three‑cent increase in the Maintenance & Operations (M&O) tax rate. The district also placed three bond propositions on the ballot, totaling $886 million for security upgrades, classroom technology, and a new natatorium. All four measures were rejected.
District trustee Bobby Blount, who led the finance campaign, said the outcome may reflect voter fatigue with tax language on the ballot and broader economic concerns. “Whether or not everybody really understood and was educated on Texas school finance was a big challenge,” Blount said.
San Antonio Independent School District
San Antonio ISD’s VATRE would have generated roughly $5.5 million annually by unlocking the district’s final 3.17 cents of optional funding. The district also sought approval for three bonds totaling $600 million for campus renovations, bus safety upgrades, technology infrastructure, and a modest turf replacement at Alamo Stadium. Voters turned down every proposal.
Political‑action committee chair Mario Barrera expressed disappointment but remained hopeful that late‑day votes could shift the result for the VATRE. “Our teachers and staff need that,” he said, emphasizing the district’s need for salary increases and pipeline programs.
Schertz‑Cibolo‑Universal City ISD
After a narrow loss in 2025, SCUC returned to the ballot with a 12‑cent VATRE that would have added $15.1 million annually—$6.8 million from the state and $8.3 million locally. Early voting in Guadalupe County showed a slim majority in favor, but the overall Bexar County vote remained too close to call at the time of reporting.
East Central ISD
East Central ISD reduced its proposed increase to 3.72 cents, estimating the VATRE would have produced $8.47 million each year for inflation‑adjusted staffing, security, and class‑size maintenance. The measure was also rejected.
South San ISD
South San Antonio ISD’s VATRE and bond proposals were among the measures defeated, adding to the broader pattern of voter resistance to additional local taxes for school funding.
Implications for district budgets
With state funding remaining relatively flat and enrollment declines cutting revenue, many Texas districts have turned to VATREs as the only local mechanism to address operating deficits. The Bexar County outcomes suggest that voters are wary of tax increases, even as districts cite rising costs for fuel, utilities, and staff salaries.
District leaders across the region now face the challenge of balancing budgets without the anticipated local revenue. Some districts have already taken cost‑saving steps, such as SCUC’s earlier elimination of librarian positions in favor of library aides.
While the defeats are a setback for district financing plans, officials emphasize that the schools will continue to operate and seek alternative efficiencies. The results also highlight the importance of clear communication with voters about how tax proposals directly support teachers, staff, and student safety.
Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.
