Understanding Prop A School Finance
What Is Prop A?
Prop A is a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election, commonly called a VATRE, that gives registered voters an opportunity to decide whether a school district may adopt a tax rate above the district's state-calculated voter-approval tax rate.
Prop A at a Glance
Texas law establishes a voter-approved tax rate for each school district. When a school board adopts a tax rate above that calculated amount, registered voters must approve the adopted rate through an election before it can take effect.
Prop A Is Not the Same as a Bond Election
Prop A concerns the Maintenance and Operations portion of the tax rate, which funds daily district operations. A bond election asks voters to authorize debt for specific capital projects, which is repaid through the Interest and Sinking portion of the tax rate.
What Prop A Funds
Prop A will fund teaching and support positions as we grow.
Prop A will help us maintain - or even reduce - class sizes.
Prop A will help us keep up with inflation.
Prop A will help us hire armed security officers and fund security measures.
Prop A will allow us to maintain our performance-based compensation plan.
Prop A will allow us to continue investing in student achievement.
How Prop A Works
Prop A will restore funds to the M&O tax rate, at the same time the Interest and Sinking tax rate was reduced by the ECISD Board of Trustees.
M&O would increase 3.72 cents, from $0.6669 to $0.7041.
I&S was lowered 3.71 cents by the Board of Trustees in August 2026, from $0.2650 to $0.2279.
The difference in the total tax rate will be 1/100th of a penny, from $0.9319 to $0.9320.
The table below shows the M&O and I&S tax rates in 2025-2026, compared to what the tax rates will be if voters approve Prop A in November 2026.
| M&O Tax Rate | I&S Tax Rate | Total Tax Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 | $0.6669 | $0.2650 | $0.9319 |
| With VATRE (Prop A) | $0.7041 | $0.2279 | $0.9320 |
ECISD has the lowest total tax rate in Bexar County. Even if Prop A passes, ECISD will still have the lowest in the county.
Voters decide whether to increase the M&O tax rate and add funds to the ECISD operating budget.
The 2026 Prop A proposal in ECISD will generate an additional $5.37 million in local revenue, with the state adding an additional $3.1 million, for a total increase of $8.47 million annually.
This additional funding would support compensation for top talent, performance pay, safety personnel, and student programs.
Understanding the Two Parts of the ECISD Tax Rate
A school district's total property tax rate may include two components: Maintenance and Operations and Interest and Sinking.
M&O
Maintenance and Operations
The Maintenance and Operations tax rate supports the school district's daily operating expenses.
Examples may include:
- Employee salaries and benefits
- Classroom instruction and academic programs
- Student services and support
- Transportation and utilities
- Safety, security and facility operations
I&S
Interest and Sinking
The Interest and Sinking tax rate is used to repay voter-approved debt associated with bonds.
Examples may include:
- New schools and major additions
- Facility renovations
- Transportation facilities
- Technology and infrastructure
- Other voter-approved bond projects
What Prop A Costs
For the average homeowner in ECISD, approval of Prop A will mean less than $1 a year.
| Home Value | Taxable Assessed Value (after $140,000 exemption) |
Annual Change Compared to 2025-2026 |
Monthly Change Compared to 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $130,000 | $0 | Pays $0 taxes to ECISD. | |
| $200,000 | $60,000 | 6¢ | .005¢ |
| $270,000* | $130,000 | 13¢ | 1¢ |
| $340,000 | $200,000 | 20¢ | 1.6¢ |
| $410,000 | $270,000 | 27¢ | 2.2¢ |
What is my projected tax impact?
Enter your 2026 home value below to compare the 2025-2026 ECISD total tax rate with the total tax rate if Prop A is approved.
ECISD property taxes for citizens aged 65 or older would not be affected by Prop A as long as a homestead and over 65 exemption application has been filed with the Bexar Central Appraisal District.
According to state law, the dollar amount of school taxes for a person 65 years of age or older cannot be increased above the amount paid in the first year after the person turned 65 regardless of changes in tax rate or property value unless improvements are made to the home.
Understanding Your Property Tax Bill
A property owner's school tax bill is not determined by the tax rate alone. The final amount may also be affected by:
- The property's appraised value
- The property's taxable value
- Applicable homestead or other exemptions
- State-mandated limitations or tax ceilings
- The adopted tax rates of each local taxing entity
Property values are determined by the county appraisal district, not by the school district.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the VATRE called Prop A on the ballot?
In Texas, a Voter-Approval Tax Ratification Election (VATRE) may appear as "Proposition A" simply because the election authority labels propositions in order. For a school district, the ballot language itself is prescribed by Texas law and must clearly state what voters are being asked to approve. It is generally the ballot's label for the first proposition being presented to voters in the election.
Does Prop A authorize new debt?
Prop A does not authorize bonds or create voter-approved bond debt. It concerns the district's authority to adopt a specific tax rate, which generally affects funding for Maintenance and Operations.
Can Prop A revenue be used for daily operations?
Revenue associated with the Maintenance and Operations tax rate may support recurring operating expenses such as employee compensation, classroom instruction, student services, transportation, safety and utilities.
Does voter approval automatically determine an individual tax bill?
No. An individual bill depends on the adopted tax rate, the property's taxable value, applicable exemptions and any limitations provided by law.
Who may vote in the Prop A election?
Eligible registered voters who reside within the boundaries of the school district may vote in the election.
Voting Information
ECISD's proposal will be on the same ballot as other state elections. "Don't stop at the top." School district measures will be near the end of the ballot, so go to the end to cast a ballot in ECISD's Prop A election.
Voter Registration Deadline
October 5, 2026
October 5, 2026
Early Voting Period
October 19-30, 2026
October 19-30, 2026
Election Day
November 3, 2026
November 3, 2026
Register to Vote
To be eligible to vote in the ECISD Prop A election, individuals must be registered voters residing within the school district boundaries. The final day to register to vote in the November 2026 election is Monday, October 5.
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Voting Days and Times
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Educational Information
This page is provided as a general educational resource about school finance and Voter-Approval Tax Rate Elections in Texas. It does not advocate for or against any ballot measure.