SCHERTZ, Texas - Voters in Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District are being asked to decide whether to approve a 12-cent increase to the district's annual tax rate.

District leaders said the measure is needed to address an $8 million deficit, protect student programs and raise staff pay.

The proposition, known as a voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, would generate about $15. 1 million in additional funding for the district if approved.