Early voting results show that tax measures to increase funding for the Socorro and Ysleta school districts have been defeated. About 57% of Socorro Independent School District early voters and 56% of Ysleta Independent School District early voters rejected their proposals, both listed as Proposition A on the Nov. 3 ballot. Almost 69% of Tornillo Independent School District voters also rejected a similar proposal with the same name.
The measures asked voters to approve tax rate increases above the state limit for school operations. As state law requires, the ballot language said "this is a tax increase." The districts said they could have collected up to $49.2 million a year in Socorro and up to $5.5 million a year in Ysleta.
Socorro officials said the funds would pay for raises, smaller class sizes and heating and cooling maintenance, and would help rebuild reserves that have shrunk after nearly a decade of spending more than the district brought in. The district adopted a $462.1 million budget in June. Socorro voters also rejected a similar proposal last year, by about 6 percentage points, or 850 votes. Ysleta officials said their proposal was part of a larger financial stabilization plan meant to prevent layoffs.