Socorro ISD superintendent urges approval of Proposition A to shift tax rate and fund schools

James Vasquez, superintendent of Socorro ISD, urged voters in a recorded address to approve Proposition A, saying the measure would shift pennies within the district tax-rate formula to unlock roughly $49 million a year for schools without increasing the total tax rate.

Vasquez said the district moved from a $42 million deficit to a balanced budget over the past 18 months but still faces declining enrollment, rising costs and a low fund balance that forced the district to borrow. "We borrowed money costing the district about $1.5 million in interest and fees last year," he said.

The district formed a Finance and Operations Advisory Committee that reviewed financial projections and recommended pursuing a voter-approval tax-rate election. "Our board of trustees agreed and voted unanimously to place Proposition A on the ballot for the November 4th election," Vasquez said.

According to Vasquez, Proposition A would not change the total tax rate for taxpayers. Instead, it would increase the maintenance and operations (M&O) rate by 12 cents while reducing the interest and sinking (I&S) rate by the same amount, which he said would unlock about $49 million annually, mostly from the state. "Proposition A does not increase the total tax rate," he said.

Vasquez outlined how the district would use the additional funding: student services and class-size support; teacher and staff compensation; career and technical education; fine arts and athletics; technology devices and infrastructure; mental health services; tutoring and enrichment; facilities maintenance; safety and security; and rebuilding the fund balance to reduce future borrowing.

He warned that if the measure fails, "we may have to make additional program reductions and staffing cuts. Class sizes could grow, student support services could shrink, and we'll likely continue relying on short-term loans that come with high interest costs," potentially worsening the district's financial position.

Vasquez also cited recent statewide measures and said most homeowners would see a tax reduction: he stated that, with the passage of Texas Propositions 11 and 13, "the average homeowner in [the district] would actually see a decrease of $345 annually on their property taxes." He said some homeowners could owe nothing in school property taxes depending on their situation.

Vasquez said the board will provide regular public updates and post financial details on the district website. He gave voting information: register by Oct. 6; early voting Oct. 20–31; and election day is Tuesday, Nov. 4. For more information he directed listeners to sisd.net/propa.

The address closed with a thank-you to the community and an appeal for voters to consider the measure at the November election.