Tax Rate Information
The current East Central ISD tax rate is $0.89, the lowest in Bexar County and our lowest since at least 1998, when it was $1.69.
Over the past four years, the tax rate has decreased by 45 cents, including a 19-cent reduction from last year. Additionally, recent legislative changes have resulted in the largest property tax cut in history, with school district property taxes expected to decrease by $651 for the average home this year.
East Central ISD has the lowest tax rates in Bexar County!
DISTRICT FINANCIAL ACHIEVEMENTS
The District has a record of actively managing its outstanding debt to achieve savings for taxpayers. Over the last ten years, the district has refinanced debt six times, resulting in savings of over $6 million.
BOND HISTORY
The 2016 Bond was completed on time. East Central ISD voters in May 2016 approved a $86,100,000 million bond proposition with a 63.60 percent passing rate. The bond included a District Performing Arts Center, a New Elementary School, and additions and renovations to Harmony, Pecan Valley, Sinclair and Salado Elementary Schools.
East Central ISD voters passed the proposed 2022 Bond by 62 percent, approving the $240 million package to address overcrowding issues at every campus, safety and security, career and technical education, and land purchases for future growth.
The 2022 Bond is on track to be delivered on time and on budget.
TWO BUDGET BUCKETS
School district tax rates have two parts: Maintenance & Operations (M&O) and Interest & Sinking (I&S). These two rates are combined to create the district’s total school tax rate. To figure out the total school taxes owed, you multiply the total tax rate by the property’s assessed value, then divide by 100.
M&O taxes help cover everyday costs like salaries, supplies, utilities, and other operating expenses.
I&S taxes can only be used to pay off debt for new school construction, large improvements, and interest when voters approve a school bond.
Due to changes in school finance and tax compression laws, the M&O rate fell from $.6692 per $100 assessed valuation in 2023-24 to $.6669 per $100 assessed valuation in 2024-25. The I&S rate remained flat at $.2160, resulting in an overall tax rate of $.8829. This represents a decrease of more than $.002 cents from last year to this year.
I&S tax collections cannot be used to pay for daily expenses like salaries and benefits.
Rising Property Values Do Not Mean More Money For Schools
Many taxpayers may not be aware that increases in the taxable values of commercial and residential properties within the district do not directly benefit East Central ISD. Under current Texas school funding laws, as taxable property values rise, state funding for the district decreases.