Have you heard about Proposition A on the Nov. 5 elections ballot and wondered what it is? Here's what to know about the proposal from San Angelo ISD.
What is Proposition A?
Proposition A is a voter-approval tax rate election, which is an election required by the state that asks voters to consider approving a modified tax rate adopted by the School Board of Trustees.
"If passed, it will allow San Angelo ISD to access the maximum amount of tax revenue from golden pennies," SAISD said on their website. "Proposition A would provide 6 million dollars of new funding in the current fiscal year, and is expected to provide at least as much each year thereafter, for the district’s maintenance and operations instructional budget without raising the current tax rate."
Sixty-five percent of the money generated by Prop A will come from the state.
How does it work?
School budgets and tax rates are made up of two parts: Maintenance and operations, and interest and sinking.
"The money generated from each part can only be used for specific types of expenses," according to SAISD. "M&O funds pay for day-to-day operations, while I&S funds pay for capital improvements."
The district is asking voters to consider transferring three pennies of tax revenue collected for the interest and sinking fund to the maintenance and operations fund.
"This tax restructure will provide an additional $6 million in revenue with zero tax rate increase," according to SAISD. "The official ballot language says the proposal will generate an additional $2 million, but that is just from local taxpayers.
"Prop A will also require the state to kick in over $4 million to San Angelo ISD, for a total of $6 million in additional revenue, annually. For every dollar local taxpayers put in, the state will put in two. The tax restructure allows the District to make the best use of taxpayer dollars they are already receiving in order to address critical budget priorities without raising the current tax rate."
What will the additional funds be used for if approved?
San Angelo ISD is the third largest employer in Tom Green County. Prop A would increase the salaries of approximately 1,824 employees in the area.
"Compared to other districts similar in size, San Angelo ISD’s starting teacher salary is approximately $4,500 lower than the average starting salary," according to SAISD. "A rising national teacher shortage led to 35 total open positions in the district on the first day of school."
Prop A will provide funds to attract and retain more teachers to support student outcomes, manage discipline, and maintain current class sizes.
"Teachers face rising health insurance premiums," SAISD stated. "This means teachers would experience a salary decrease without the raise from a successful Prop A.
"The district has made budget cuts where it can, but 85% of the budget is earmarked for salaries of teachers and support staff, and without a rate increase, cuts will need to be made to teachers, counselors, nurses, librarians, special education personnel and other support staff."
Prop A would allow the district to put an armed officer at every campus.
"Safety and security were a top priority for the district and board when considering the Prop A proposal, but there is a shortage of police officers across the state," SAISD stated.
"Texas House Bill 3, a new statewide mandate, requires armed security at every campus, but the state only partially funded the cost needed for San Angelo ISD. $330,000 came from the state, but the district spent $850,000 on armed officers last year," SAISD stated. "Prop A would help the district provide competitive salaries and meet the requirements of House Bill 3."
More: San Angelo man given award for saving two kids from fiery apartment
More: Angelo State hosting "Night at the Museum" first of every month
This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: Here's everything to know about SAISD's Proposition A on the November ballot
Local News
