1. Voters reject Hays CISD tax rate proposition
Hays County Elections Office is reporting 40.25% of voters for and 59.75% against the proposed tax rate.
Unofficial early voting results show voters rejected a proposed tax rate of $1.2746 per $100 valuation for Hays CISD.
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2. Unofficial votes show 4 out of 5 Hays CISD bond propositions earn voter approval
According to unofficial voting results, four out of five of the propositions for Hays CISD’s $968.65 million bond package have received over 50% of voter approval, according to results from Caldwell, Hays and Travis counties.
Voting results for the propositions are as follows:
- Proposition A: 60.02% for with 1,542 votes, 39.98% against with 1,027 votes
- Proposition B: 56.82% for with 1,458 votes, 43.18% against with 1,108 votes
- Proposition C: 47.78% for with 1,227 votes, 52.22% against with 1,341 votes
- Proposition D: 50.1% for with 1,285 votes, 49.9% against with 1,280 votes
- Proposition E: 60.51% for with 1,549 votes, 39.49% against with 1,011 votes
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3. Hays CISD calls for November tax-rate election; cites financial strain
The Hays CISD board of trustees voted unanimously to call for a tax rate election, or TRE, later this year, which would raise the property tax rate for property owners within the district.
HCISD officials said the decision comes from a need to address financial burdens and a tight budget.
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4. Hays CISD voters to see $968.65M bond on May ballot
As demographers project Hays CISD to double in size over the next decade, school bond elections are becoming more regular in the district, Superintendent Eric Wright said.
The district’s upcoming bond is the largest HCISD voters have seen—a $968.65 million package with five propositions addressing growth, safety, rehabilitation of facilities, fine arts and athletics, technology, and a new high school.
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5. Hays CISD cuts STEM program at 5 schools, makes staffing changes amid budget issues
Hays CISD will no longer have STEM “special” classes at five district schools next year, citing a need for budget cuts, Superintendent Eric Wright said in an email to community members.
The “special” classes are rotating programs outside of regular classroom activities. The programs typically include art, music and physical education, with STEM—or science, technology, engineering and math—being a fourth option for grade levels that exceed 110 students.
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6. Hays CISD starts bond projects, places portables at 2 schools to make room
Hays CISD officials will be moving portables located at Tom Green and Kyle elementary schools to Sunfield Elementary and McCormick Middle School, following board approval May 19. The action comes as the district prepares to start expansion and renovation projects at Tom Green and Kyle elementaries.
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7. Hays CISD’s B score streak continues in newly released TEA A-F ratings
Hays CISD continued its B rating streak in overall performance for the 2024-25 academic school year, scoring 80 out 100 possible points in the Texas Education Agency’s 2024-25 accountability ratings released Aug. 15.
Ratings are calculated based on TEA standards for three performance categories—student achievement, school progress and closing the gaps, which measures how school districts tackle performance disparities among varying student groups.
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8. Hays CISD looks at $14 million shortfall, insurance changes ahead of FY 2025-26
Hays CISD officials are looking to combat a $14 million shortfall, coming from both current budget expenses and a new teacher compensation plan that stems from recent legislation out of the Texas Legislature.
The $14 million shortfall is up over $7 million from the $6.29 million deficit adopted at the beginning of fiscal year 2024-25.
Staff may also have to pay an additional amount for insurance, which was previously at no-cost to employees.
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9. Hays County school districts adopt FY 2025-26 budgets; all-staff raises on hold
School district officials in Hays County have adopted their district budgets for fiscal year 2025-26, following months-long discussions on how to manage funds.
Many school districts adjusted staffing through attrition or position elimination, and have faced periods of budget shortfall.
District officials in Hays County, including Dripping Springs ISD, Hays CISD and San Marcos CISD, are expecting more amendments, particularly for staff raises, to come later this summer following education legislation from the 89th Texas Legislature.
See how local districts are preparing for the upcoming fiscal year.
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10. Hays CISD adopts updated tax rate after failed vote
The average homeowner zoned to Hays CISD will not see an increase in their property tax bill.
The Hays CISD board of trustees adopted an amended tax rate Nov. 17, following voter rejection of the proposed tax rate at the polls earlier this month. The proposed rate was $1.2746 per $100 valuation.
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