When the 2026 school year began, classrooms in South San Independent School District were uncomfortably hot and, in some cases, water‑logged due to failing HVAC systems. The problem displaced roughly 300 students, who were moved to alternate rooms during the district’s first week of classes.
Board action and proposed tax measure
In response, the South San ISD board voted on Monday to place a Voter Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) on the November ballot. The proposal would keep the existing tax rate of $1.19 per $100 of taxable property value while authorizing the district to raise as much as $6 million for critical facility improvements.
Superintendent Dr. Saul Hinojosa emphasized the urgency, noting that “if buildings are hot or there’s water entering into buildings, that obviously does not produce a quality learning environment.” He said the district could begin addressing the most pressing repairs as early as November if voters approve the measure.
What the funding would cover
The $6 million would be used for several purposes:
- Repairing and upgrading aging school facilities, including HVAC systems, over an estimated five‑year timeline.
- Supporting day‑to‑day school operations and purchasing technology needed for students.
- Providing competitive salaries for paraprofessionals and auxiliary staff, helping the district retain qualified personnel.
Hinojosa added that a contractor is already lined up to start mitigation work once the measure passes.
Potential impact of a rejection
If the ballot measure fails, the district’s tax rate would drop by seven cents, offering a modest relief to homeowners. However, the loss of the additional funding would leave the district without the resources needed to fix the most urgent infrastructure problems, potentially prolonging sub‑standard learning conditions.
Community members and parents have expressed concern about the learning environment, citing the recent HVAC failures as a clear example of why the district needs reliable funding for maintenance and upgrades.
Next steps
The VATRE will appear on the November ballot, giving local voters the chance to decide whether South San ISD can secure the financing needed to modernize its schools. Voter education efforts are expected to ramp up in the coming months as the district seeks community support for the proposal.
Original reporting: San Antonio, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
