Voters in Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District will decide in November whether to approve more than $3.2 billion in new bond debt. This proposal comes as the district faces a projected $80.9 million budget deficit for the 2026-27 school year.
The Cy-Fair ISD Board of Trustees voted in August to place five propositions on the November 3 ballot: four bond propositions and one voter-approval tax rate election (VATRE).
The district’s bond package would fund building renovations and repairs, school buses, technology, stadium facilities, and swimming facilities.
The largest portion of the bond package is Proposition B, which would authorize $1.299 billion in debt for infrastructure and safety projects. While that is the price tag voters will see on the ballot, another $1.537 billion in estimated debt brings the total cost to $2.837 billion.
Proposition C would authorize $256.1 million for instructional technology ($291.6 million including debt). Proposition D would authorize $60.8 million for athletic facilities ($78 million including debt). Proposition E would authorize $20.1 million for swimming pools ($25.8 million including debt).
The proposed bonds would total $1.636 billion in principal and an estimated $1.596 billion in interest, for a combined cost of approximately $3.233 billion.
Each bond proposition on the ballot will carry the disclaimer that “THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE,” because even if the tax rate does not change, the tax burden will increase.
A coalition of local activists is campaigning against the bonds.
The Cypress Republicans are urging voters to “vote no.”
“Voting against a bond isn’t voting against schools. It’s asking the district to prove the need, prioritize the spending, and respect taxpayers before taking on MORE DEBT,” reads a post from the group.
Cy-Fair ISD is currently $4.624 billion in debt, according to district documents.
The proposed tax increase comes as the district works to address its projected $80.9 million budget deficit.
When trustees approved the $1.25 billion 2026-27 budget in June, district officials cited declining enrollment, rising operating costs, state funding that has not kept pace with inflation, and other factors as contributing to the shortfall.
The district’s enrollment has declined by thousands of students, while officials have also cited expenses such as utilities and fuel as pressures on the budget. The adopted budget directs roughly 65 percent of general fund spending toward classroom instruction.
Alongside the bond propositions on the ballot is Proposition A, a voter-approval tax rate election (VATRE). The VATRE would raise the overall property tax rate to $1.1569 per $100 of assessed taxable value, an increase of nine cents compared to the current rate. CFISD estimates the measure would generate $102.3 million annually.
According to the district, the additional revenue would support classroom instruction, instructional resources, staffing, transportation, and other student programs.
The election will take place November 3, with early voting beginning October 19.
