Leander ISD has cut approximately $26 million from its budget over the past two years, including reductions to staffing, programs and services, and the consolidation of an elementary school.
The district continues to face budget deficits due to state funding not keeping pace with costs, the effects of inflation on operating expenses, a decline in taxable property values, and slower enrollment growth.
According to LISD, approving the School Funding Proposition would provide additional funding, improve the district’s financial position, and help minimize the need for additional cuts to staffing, programs, and services.
Ratifying the ad valorem tax rate of $1.1169 per $100 valuation in Leander Independent School District for the current year, a rate that will result in an increase of 3.72 percent in maintenance and operations tax revenue for the District for the current year as compared to the preceding year, which is an additional $12,066,324.
The Proposition asks voters to increase Leander ISD’s Maintenance & Operations (M&O) tax rate by 3 pennies, from $0.7569 to $0.7869. The M&O tax revenue pays for the district’s everyday costs, including employee pay, programs, and student services.
If approved, the district estimates the tax increase would generate approximately $12 million in additional revenue. However, since the increased tax is subject to recapture by the state, the district estimates it will receive $6.7 million of the new revenue each year.
The district’s Interest & Sinking (I&S) tax rate, which pays for debt, would not change and would remain at $0.33.
The district’s total 2026-27 tax rate would be $1.1169 for every $100 of taxable property value.
For a home with the district’s 2026 average taxable value of $460,292, LISD estimates the total annual school district tax bill would be $5,141 if the bond passes. That equates to approximately $27.56 more per year, or $2.30 more per month, than the previous year. Qualifying homeowners age 65 or older have a school property tax ceiling, so their tax rates would not be affected by this change.
If the election does not pass, the 2026–27 district tax rate would be $1.0869 per $100 of taxable value. The district’s deficit will continue at a higher level.
Website: https://elections.leanderisd.org/
Leander ISD has cut approximately $26 million from its budget over the past two years, including reductions to staffing, programs and services, and the consolidation of an elementary school.
The district continues to face budget deficits due to state funding not keeping pace with costs, the effects of inflation on operating expenses, a decline in taxable property values, and slower enrollment growth.
According to LISD, approving the School Funding Proposition would provide additional funding, improve the district’s financial position, and help minimize the need for additional cuts to staffing, programs, and services.
THIS IS A TAX INCREASE
Ratifying the ad valorem tax rate of $1.1169 per $100 valuation in Leander Independent School District for the current year, a rate that will result in an increase of 3.72 percent in maintenance and operations tax revenue for the District for the current year as compared to the preceding year, which is an additional $12,066,324.
The Proposition asks voters to increase Leander ISD’s Maintenance & Operations (M&O) tax rate by 3 pennies, from $0.7569 to $0.7869. The M&O tax revenue pays for the district’s everyday costs, including employee pay, programs, and student services.
If approved, the district estimates the tax increase would generate approximately $12 million in additional revenue. However, since the increased tax is subject to recapture by the state, the district estimates it will receive $6.7 million of the new revenue each year.
The district’s Interest & Sinking (I&S) tax rate, which pays for debt, would not change and would remain at $0.33.
The district’s total 2026-27 tax rate would be $1.1169 for every $100 of taxable property value.
For a home with the district’s 2026 average taxable value of $460,292, LISD estimates the total annual school district tax bill would be $5,141 if the bond passes. That equates to approximately $27.56 more per year, or $2.30 more per month, than the previous year. Qualifying homeowners age 65 or older have a school property tax ceiling, so their tax rates would not be affected by this change.
If the election does not pass, the 2026–27 district tax rate would be $1.0869 per $100 of taxable value. The district’s deficit will continue at a higher level.
Website: https://elections.leanderisd.org/
