San Antonio School Tax Rate Election 2026: Northside ISD and SAISD Prop A Explained

Reviewed November 4, 2026.

November 4 update: Election Day has passed. This explainer records the proposals, not verified outcomes. Check Bexar County Elections and the district notices for each result and adopted rate. Do not use the proposal estimates below as your final tax bill.

San Antonio-area voters decide several school tax rate elections on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. The two biggest are Northside ISD Proposition A, a 3-cent maintenance and operations (M&O) increase to a total rate of $1.0349 per $100, and San Antonio ISD Proposition A, a 3.17-cent M&O increase. Each is a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE). Homeowners with an over-65 or disabled exemption on file generally won't see their school taxes rise either way.

This post explains what's on the ballot and how it would affect a property tax bill. It doesn't take a position on how to vote.

Which San Antonio-area districts have a school tax rate election in 2026?

KSAT reports VATREs on the Nov. 3 ballot in these districts:

• Northside ISD (Prop A)
• San Antonio ISD (Prop A)
• East Central ISD
• Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD (SCUC)
• South San Antonio ISD
• Nixon-Smiley, Seguin, Poth and Crystal City ISDs

Several districts also have bonds, including Northside ISD ($886 million, Props B-D), SAISD ($600 million, Props B-D) and Comal ISD ($567 million). Rate details for the smaller districts are on each district's election page.

What is Northside ISD Proposition A?

It's the first VATRE in Northside ISD's history, according to the district's voter information mailer. Prop A would raise the M&O rate from $0.6694 to $0.6994 per $100 of taxable value. With the debt rate unchanged at $0.3355, the total rate would go from last year's $1.0049 to $1.0349.

• Revenue: about $45.5 million a year, $21.5 million from local taxes and $24 million from the state.
• Use: employee pay, classroom programs, transportation, fuel and utilities. The district says it's running a general fund deficit.
• Ballot wording: state law makes all four NISD propositions read "THIS IS A TAX INCREASE," though the district says only Prop A changes the rate.

How much would Northside ISD Prop A cost me?

The 3-cent change works out to $30 a year for every $100,000 of school taxable value. Northside's official budget and tax rate notice says the average residence's taxable value fell from $221,040 to $215,210, so the average bill would rise just $5.98, from $2,221.23 to $2,227.21.

To estimate your own change from the 3 cents alone: (your school taxable value ÷ 100) × $0.03. Your school taxable value is your appraised value minus exemptions, shown on your Bexar Appraisal District record.

What is San Antonio ISD Proposition A?

SAISD's Prop A is a 3.17-cent M&O increase the district estimates would raise about $5.5 million. The board says it would fund a one-time staff supplement, college and career readiness programs, and teacher pipeline work.

SAISD also has three bond propositions. If all four pass, the district estimates the average homeowner pays $1.99 more a month in 2026 and $3.25 a month in 2027, rising gradually to $5.76 a month by 2030, according to a letter from the SAISD board.

Is a VATRE the same as a bond?

No. A VATRE changes the M&O rate, which pays day-to-day costs. A bond lets a district borrow for buildings and big projects, repaid through the interest and sinking (I&S) rate. Northside ISD says its bond Props B-D would be paid with its existing I&S rate.

Will a VATRE raise my taxes if I'm 65 or older?

Usually not. State law caps school taxes on the homestead of an owner 65 or older, or disabled, at the amount paid the first year the exemption applied. SAISD says seniors and qualifying disabled owners won't be affected by any of its four propositions if they filed homestead and over-65 or disabled exemptions with the Bexar Appraisal District and owned the home as of Jan. 1, 2026. Exemption details are on the Texas Comptroller's exemptions page.

What can I control on my property tax bill?

Voters set the rate question. The other half of every bill is your appraised value, and you can protest it each year. The 2027 deadline is generally Monday, May 17, 2027 (May 15 falls on a Saturday), or 30 days after your notice of appraised value is delivered, whichever is later.

TaxDrop files your protest with the Bexar Appraisal District and represents you at the ARB if needed. See our Bexar County property tax protest guide or learn how a Texas property tax consultant works.

Sources: Northside ISD voter information; Northside ISD budget and proposed tax rate notice; Northside ISD project details; SAISD propositions announcement; SAISD board letter; KSAT (Oct. 30, 2026).