South San Antonio ISD adopts balanced 2025–26 budget, keeps tax rate at 1.1959 and authorizes bond defeasance

The South San Antonio Independent School District Board of Trustees on Aug. 18 adopted a balanced 2025–26 budget, approved a tax rate of 1.1959 per $100 of assessed value and authorized a defeasance plan to use surplus debt-service funds to prepay callable bonds.

The action, taken after a public hearing and financial presentation, keeps the maintenance and operations (M&O) rate at 0.6969 and the interest and sinking (debt service) rate at 0.499, for a total rate of 1.1959. Tony Kingman, the district finance presenter, said the rate is the same as 2024–25 and that the district is proposing to “capitalize on the disaster penny” available under Texas law to help balance the budget.

Board adoption followed Kingman’s presentation of the proposed budget and tax calculations and a staff recommendation from Superintendent Dr. Hinojosa. Kingman told trustees the district is proposing a balanced general fund ($84,000,000 total revenue and expenditures), a balanced food-service fund ($7,900,000), and a surplus in the debt-service fund…