Prop A Explained:

Prop A is called an Attendance Credit Election and is based on the school district paying their required recapture payment, which is a process that allows the state to remove local property tax dollars from the district. According to a news article by KXAN, recapture is sometimes called Robin Hood because it involves property-rich districts giving money to property-poor districts. This happens when a school district’s property values have reached a point where the district must begin sending money back to the state, according to the Leander ISD election website. The district is required to hold an election to vote to purchase attendance credits if property values go past a certain point and if an election was not held previously. Amanda Brownson, the associate executive director of policy and research at the Texas Association of School Business Officials, told KXAN that a majority vote against ACE has not happened in Texas.

If Prop A Passes (voting yes):

If Prop A passes, the district says it will make its required recapture payments. LISD said its estimated recapture payment is $31.2 million. 

If Prop A Fails (voting no):

If Prop A fails, the school district would be subject to a “Detachment of Territory,” which means the state could take away a piece of the school district’s total property value to give to another district in the state. This process is irreversible. According to LISD, this may also cause the district to raise the Interest & Sinking tax rate, also called I & S, which are funds that help pay the existing debt after some territory is taken away. Leander ISD said it is in discussion with TEA about how much of their tax base could detach. 

More information about Recapture can be found on the TEA website under Texas Education Code: Chapter 13, Subchapter D.

The Wolfpack staff used numerous websites and sources as they gathered information:

• Wolfcast Behind the Ballot: Props A & B and Dr. Gearing Interview
• TEA website
• Leander ISD Elections website
• KXAN website
• LISD Board Approves 5% Increase to Teacher Salaries, 4% for All Others
• Smart Money