Editor's note: A statement from Matthew Short was removed after publication.
By a slim margin, the tax rate election, Proposition A, proposed by Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD has failed to pass.
Latest update
According to unofficial results from Guadalupe and Bexar counties, SCUCISD's Proposition A has 5,896 votes for a tax rate increase, or 49.76%, with 5,954 votes or 50.24% against the increase.
Deanna Jackson, the district's executive director of communications and community engagement, said in a Nov. 5 news release that the district will continue to monitor mail and provisional ballots due to the close result of the election. Superintendent Paige Meloni said in the release that the district will need to plan for its future without the extra revenue.
"While the outcome of the election was not what we had hoped for, our focus remains on serving students and their families, and supporting staff to the greatest extent possible. At the same time, the challenges before us are very real. We cannot continue to operate with a deficit budget, and that means every decision ahead will continue to require our thoughtful planning, collaboration and transparency as we navigate the financial realities ahead," Meloni said.
The district will establish a committee to examine major areas of spending and identify potential reductions, according to the news release.
"These next steps will be difficult, but necessary. We will continue to engage our community in open dialogue and make decisions guided by our purpose-our students-supported by our people and strengthened by our partnerships," Board President Ed Finley said in the release.
In Bexar County, a total of 248,428 ballots were cast in elections, representing 19.31% of county voters.
A total of 21,804 votes were cast in Guadalupe County, representing 16.37% of registered voters.
Posted 9:15 p.m.
A close race is ongoing to decide a tax rate election in Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD.
What’s happening
After early voting in Guadalupe and Bexar counties, SCUCISD’s Proposition A has 3,694 votes for a tax rate increase, or 51.35%, with 3,500 votes or 48.65% against the increase.
The district officially called for the tax rate election Aug. 18. If successful, the district’s tax rate will increase $0.06 per $100 valuation to $1.1969 per $100.
According to the district, the proposition would bring in approximately $16.2 million to be used on student programs, safety, staff raises and device replacement.
A total of 148,450 early votes were cast throughout Bexar County races, representing 11.54% of the county’s registered voters.
In Guadalupe County, 11,574 ballots were cast across elections, representing 8.69% of registered voters.
What’s next?
Community Impact will update this article as more election day vote totals are released. All results are unofficial until canvassed.
Visit communityimpact.com/voter-guide/election-results to see results from all local and state elections in your community.
