East Central ISD faces $9 million deficit after voters reject tax increase

SAN ANTONIO - East Central Independent School District is left looking for ways to stretch its budget after taxpayers voted against a tax increase and several bond propositions.

East Central ISD had a total of four propositions on the ballot. The average home value in the area is $280,000 and if the homeowner has a homestead exemption, all four propositions would cost homeowners an additional $31.50 a month in taxes, which is under $400 a year.

Many are asking: what is that money needed for?

"If Prop A had passed or deficit would have been a little over $2 million now that it didn't pass, it's going to be almost $9 million dollars," said Brandon Oliver, Director of Marketing and Communications for East Central ISD.

Oliver said inflation is affecting the district and the tax increase would help offset that. One of the propositions would have also addressed the area's rapid growth.

"We're going to double our enrollment in 10 years, so that would have included a new high school and two elementary schools," said Oliver.

Amanda Knutsen has two children at East Central ISD and said that rapid growth is causing a serious lack of space at school and affecting students.

"Sometimes gym classes are too full. The kids have to watch a show because it's not safe for them to play because they have two or three classes in there at one time," said Knutsen.

How will East Central ISD manage that growth without the extra funds?

"We're having to put students in those portables, which isn't really a permanent fixture, that's a temporary fixture and has its own safety issues as well," said Oliver.

Oliver told us the district will gather more community input in hopes of coming up with a bond proposition or tax increase that taxpayers are comfortable with.