Santa Fe ISD board adopts 2025 tax rate, calls Nov. 4 elections for tax ratification and three-bond propositions

The Santa Fe ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt a 2025 tax rate of 1.1014 per $100 of taxable valuation and to order two public elections for Nov. 4, 2025: a voter-approved tax ratification election and a school bond election with three propositions.

Finance staff member Alex told trustees the combined rate comprises a maintenance-and-operations rate of 0.7522 and a debt-service rate of 0.3492, producing an effective decrease of roughly 3.9 percent (about 4 cents per $100 of valuation) compared with last year. Alex also described seven ‘‘disaster pennies’’ included in the calculation — three labeled “golden” pennies that the state bears and four “copper” pennies that affect collections — and said the state would make up the difference so the district would in practice collect about $150,000 less than last year. Alex cautioned that statutory ballot language requires the phrase “tax rate increase” even though the calculation shows a decrease.

Why it matters: By adopting the rate and asking voters to ratify it, the district preserves the option to levy the special disaster pennies in future years only if voters approve the ratification election. Board members stressed they will publish clear explanatory materials because the election ballot will use the state-prescribed language that can appear confusing.

Board action and related items: Trustees approved several associated motions unanimously. They approved the 2025 appraisal roll presented by finance staff — the certified roll was reported as $2,268,947,941 with an additional $158,966,869 under appeal to the appraisal review board, producing an expected total of about $2,427,914,810 — and the district’s projected tax collection rate of roughly 97 percent. The board also approved a joint-election contract with Galveston County to provide election services and to use county polling locations, and it renewed a facilities agreement with the Santa Fe Historical Foundation for use of the old museum on a proposed 10-year term.

Bond propositions: The board called a bond election for the same Nov. 4 date featuring three propositions: Proposition B for $9,725,000 to fund maintenance, capital projects and safety infrastructure; Proposition C for $3,130,000 for technology infrastructure, systems and equipment; and Proposition D for $4,780,000 for school buses and transportation (including repairs and upgrades). Staff said bond steering committees and community stakeholders reviewed the proposals and characterized the asks as basic needs the district lacks given inflation and constrained state funding. Trustees noted that, if all four measures (including the tax ratification) are approved by voters, the district would still show an overall tax-rate decrease.

Board context and next steps: Trustees emphasized outreach to clarify ballot language and to explain how disaster pennies work. Staff will publish explanatory materials and the district will canvass the election by no later than Nov. 15, 2025, per the order approved at the meeting. Several board members praised staff for recent budget management and academic gains, including a district accountability grade of B for 2024–25.

What the board did (summary): Adopted 2025 tax rate (1.1014); approved the 2025 appraisal roll; authorized a voter-approved tax ratification election; approved a joint-election contract with Galveston County; renewed the Santa Fe Historical Foundation facilities agreement; and called a bond election with three propositions — all measures passed unanimously at the meeting.

Quote highlights: "The tax rate is composed of 0.7522 ... and a 0.3492 debt service rate for a total rate of 1.1014 per 100 of taxable value," Alex said during the presentation. Trustee Speaker 3 warned the board: "The state is forcing us to use the word increase ... it's almost false advertisement," underscoring trustees’ plan to provide clear voter materials.

Ending: The board concluded with communications praising staff and teachers for a strong start to the school year and adjourned after unanimous votes on all presented orders.