Two Manor Independent School District bonds totaling $710 million in taxpayer debt will be placed before voters on the November 3 ballot.
The Manor ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to place two bond proposals on the ballot.
Both proposals state: “THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.”
Proposal A adds $701,466,608 in debt to be repaid by property taxes. It requires a 3-cent tax increase.
The ballot language lists the cost at $391,500,000 but does not include the additional $309,966,608 in interest that taxpayers are also responsible for.
Proposition A would allocate funds to optimize facility use to the tune of $237.03 million.
This section includes $81 million for a Manor New Tech High School expansion, including fine arts, robotics, and a Career and Technical Education (CTE) area. The expansion would add capacity for 450 students.
Bluebonnet Trail Elementary would receive $68.25 million.
Another $67.25 million would go to Manor High School’s renovation and location consolidation for a new wing and added fine arts spaces.
The 18+ Program renovation and expansion at the Manor High School 9th Grade Center would receive $4.03 million.
A $16.5 million theater addition to Manor High School is also part of the plan. The project was proposed as its own bond proposition in 2025. It did not pass.
Facility and equipment upgrades are awarded $140.27 million under Proposition A.
This section funds renovations and upgrades for Decker Elementary, Blake Manor Elementary, Manor High School, and Manor Elementary Early Learning Center.
It also slates $60 million for district-wide facilities and equipment upgrades.
Outside of bond money, “Manor ISD has budgeted approximately $1.2 million specifically for Maintenance & Operations of Buildings, including both internal and external upkeep. Major capital needs such as HVAC systems, roofs, electrical infrastructure, and other significant building-system replacements are addressed separately through long-term capital planning,” according to a Manor ISD Facebook post.
Prop A allots $10.5 million to safety and security.
According to a Manor ISD video, “All Manor ISD campuses meet the Texas Education Agency Safety and Facility Standards.”
Proposed enhancements include software subscriptions, expanded security cameras, door relocations, PA upgrades, panic alert systems, fencing, lockdown buttons, badge systems, and police radios.
According to Manor ISD, “The state legislature recently allocated additional funding to schools for safety and security, but it was earmarked for specific purposes and amounts to $10 per student. The district’s safety and security priorities are estimated at $1,070 per student. This bond covers costs not funded by the state.”
The remaining $3.7 million of Prop A would be used for new buses.
Manor ISD’s current debt is $624,834,706. If passed, Prop A’s cost of $701,466,608 more than doubles the current tax-funded debt.
Proposition B requests a total of $8,825,374 including interest for technology upgrades. Manor ISD reported that of its 10,696 student and teacher devices, 5,861 are “past useful life.” It did not provide a breakdown of fund allocations.
Manor ISD approved a balanced budget of $105,466,188 for 2026-2027 school year, unlike other districts struggling with deficits.
According to the district, “While the approved budget provides the resources necessary to educate students, support staff, and maintain daily operations, it does not include funding to replace aging campuses or complete major facility renovations.”
Combined, Prop A and B would add $710,291,982 in property-tax funded debt.
The proposals have been greeted with concern about the lack of bond spending transparency and the need to rebuild instead of renovate.
Comments, including some hidden, on Manor ISD’s Facebook expressed concerns with the price tag and plan.
“The district has lumped what I perceive as many ‘wants’ together with many stated maintenance needs,” noted one person.
“School facilities are deteriorating because they are not receiving proper maintenance. The facilities department hasn’t done its job in recent years; there is no good leadership. It’s embarrassing,” wrote another resident.
“How about you audit the funds you already have and make adjustments from there. We need an independent audit and accountability from MISD. You don’t need more buses. You need accountability and transparency,” commented another resident.
One Manor PAC is backing the bond. A recent campaign finance report showing the largest contributor to the political action committee is LPA Inc, an architecture firm that focuses on school designs.
The bonds will be on the November 3 ballot, with early voting starting October 19.
