League City homeowners would pay the same school tax rate for a third straight year if Clear Creek ISD trustees approve the proposed $0.969 rate Monday, Sept. 28.

The rate, split between $0.699 for maintenance and operations and $0.270 for debt service, matches what the district charged in 2024 and 2025, according to the CCISD tax rates page. A homeowner with a property at the district's average market value of $397,201 would owe $2,074.77 in school taxes, Community Impact first reported.

The vote is on the board's agenda. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Education Support Center, 2425 E. Main St.

The flat rate comes as the district navigates a $22.8 million budget shortfall for the 2026-27 fiscal year. Chief Financial Officer Alice Benzaia told the board at its Aug. 17 meeting that a $16 million drop in state and local funding, driven by the loss of roughly 1,000 students, created most of the gap. Trustees approved a deficit budget of more than $430 million on Aug. 24.

Enrollment has fallen steadily. CCISD reported 38,780 students for 2025-26, down from 42,388 in 2019-20, according to Texas Education Agency data cited by Houston Public Media. Spokesperson Elena Polsen told the outlet in an Aug. 31 report that the district went "from a fast-growth school district to a maturing school district, and 81% of our taxpayers do not have school-aged children."

The proposed $0.969 rate sits well below the voter-approval ceiling of roughly $0.988, the highest the board could set without triggering an election. But that cushion may not last.

Benzaia warned at the Aug. 17 meeting that "the district's ability to pass bonds without increasing the tax rate is likely coming to an end." Debt service reserves are projected to fall from 34% to the board-mandated minimum of 10% by fiscal year 2029-30, according to Community Impact's reporting.

District officials are weighing a $19.1 million voter-approval tax rate election in fall 2027 to address projected shortfalls.

Monday's agenda also includes a vote on issuing unlimited tax refunding bonds. The Herald will follow up with results after the vote.