Keller Independent School District taxpayers will decide this November 3 whether to authorize $1.4 billion in new bond debt, including interest.
In August, the Keller ISD Board of Trustees called for a bond election based on recommendations by the Citizens Bond Advisory Committee.
The five bond propositions on the ballot total $828 million, but with interest will cost taxpayers $1,476,513,794.
Proposition A requests $756.3 million for maintenance, repairs, and renovations at 34 campuses and facilities.
Ballot language does not include the estimated $621.9 million in interest that taxpayers are also responsible for.
Combined principal and interest brings Prop A to more than $1.3 billion.
Keller ISD’s website does not provide a breakdown of fund allotments for Prop A, but lists proposed campus projects such as roofing, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, code compliance, classroom audiovisual and technology, site improvements, and safety systems, as well as several elevator replacements.
A partial rebuild of Keller Middle School is among the proposed projects.
Keller Middle School was the recipient of bond funding in 2019. With a construction budget of more than $21 million, the project included additions to fine arts program areas and renovation of existing fine arts spaces, locker rooms, and academic spaces.
Prop A does not present what the proposed rebuild will entail but says it will leave 2019 renovations intact.
Proposition B would authorize $28 million ($31.7 million with interest) in bond debt for student and staff devices.
Keller ISD currently allocates $6 million from its operating budget separate from bond funding to refresh such devices.
Proposition C requests $8.8 million ($15.7 million with interest) for repairs to the Keller ISD Natatorium. Listed repair needs include water filtration, dehumidifiers, HVAC operations, and elevator replacement.
Proposition D would authorize $11 million ($19.5 million with interest) for Keller ISD Athletic Complex site repairs and Keller High School Field House renovations.
Repairs and renovations include lighting, track and turf replacement, restroom renovations, AV and technology, accessibility upgrades, roofing, plumbing, and elevator replacement.
Proposition E requests $23.9 million ($31.2 million with interest) to install artificial turf at all Keller ISD middle schools and at high school baseball and softball fields.
The maintenance and operations fund currently pays for repairing or maintaining district infrastructure and salaries.
Keller ISD wrote that using bond funding for maintenance could “reduce pressure on the operating fund and free more resources for students and staff.”
The 2026-27 balanced budget included a surplus of more than $300,000 and provided a 1-percent pay raise for employees.
While Keller ISD limited comments on most bond-related posts on Facebook, commenters expressed concerns on groups such as Keller ISD Community United.
“There could be some maintenance needed in the 4 big projects but it certainly doesnt account for the difference between 182M listed as maintenance needs and the 828M bond total,” wrote one commenter. “We just came off a disastrous 2019 bond tha[t] overspent by 20% to 40% depending on your viewpoint, rebuilt 2 schools that didnt need rebuilding.”
“BORROWING 3/4 OF A BILLION DOLLARS WILL MEAN TAXPAYERS HAVE TO PAY IT BACK,” stated another.
The bond propositions come amid a decline in enrollment, projected to drop below 30,000, as well as a campus consolidation.
Keller ISD has a current outstanding debt of $861,943,637 including interest. If all five bonds are passed, taxpayers would be responsible for more than $2.3 billion in debt.
The pro-bond political action committee, Vote for Keller ISD Kids, received its largest donation of $20,000 from a vice president of North Texas Contracting. NTC lists educational entities among the markets it serves.
All five propositions will appear on the November 3 ballot, with early voting starting October 19.
