Voters in Irving Independent School District will decide in November whether to approve approximately $2.25 billion in new bond debt, including estimated interest, as the district seeks funding to replace aging campuses and make district-wide improvements.
The Irving ISD Board of Trustees voted in August to place four bond propositions on the November 3 ballot, totaling $952.3 million in principal.
According to the district’s voter information documents, the proposed bonds would carry an additional $1.3 billion in estimated interest, bringing the combined cost to approximately $2.25 billion.
Proposition A authorizes $552.2 million to replace Lively Elementary School, T. Haley Elementary School, Davis Elementary School, and Travis Middle School, along with district renovations and infrastructure improvements. With an estimated $752.3 million in interest, the total cost would reach approximately $1.305 billion.
Proposition B would authorize $300 million to replace Irving High School, with the estimated total cost rising to $708.8 million when including interest.
Proposition C would authorize $40 million for technology upgrades, including network infrastructure, cybersecurity, and student and staff devices. Including interest, the estimated cost would be $94.5 million.
Proposition D would authorize $60.2 million for three indoor multipurpose facilities at Irving, MacArthur, and Nimitz high schools, bringing the total to $142.1 million with interest. The facilities would serve athletics, marching band, and JROTC programs.
Irving ISD already had $704.8 million in outstanding bond principal as of August 14, with an additional $373.6 million in remaining interest, bringing its existing debt obligations to approximately $1.08 billion.
If voters approve all four propositions, the district’s combined existing and proposed principal and interest obligations would total approximately $3.33 billion.
The pro-bond political action committee, Vote for Irving ISD Kids, is funded by EMA Engineering and Grace Design Studios to the tune of $5,000 each. PBK Architects has also donated $2,500, while WRA Architects has spent more than $4,500 on meals and advertising materials for the PAC. Each of the companies specializes in educational facilities and could later bid on the projects funded by the bond.
The proposed election follows Irving ISD’s 2023 bond program, which funded renovations at 32 campuses, three replacement schools, and other district-wide projects.
District officials say the new proposal continues a long-range facilities planning process developed with recommendations from a community-based Facilities Planning Committee. According to the district, the campuses proposed for replacement have an average age of 68 years.
Approval of all four propositions would increase the district’s debt service property tax rate by an estimated 12.5 cents per $100 of taxable property value, from $0.2899 to $0.4149.
For a home valued at $340,000 with a $140,000 homestead exemption, Irving ISD estimates the increase would amount to approximately $20.83 per month, or $250 annually.
Homeowners who are age 65 or older or have a disability and qualify for the applicable homestead exemption generally have their school district property taxes capped at the amount established when they qualified, subject to certain exceptions.
Each proposition will be decided separately by voters.
Early voting begins October 19 and runs through October 30. Election Day is November 3.
