In the May 2 local elections, seven of the 10 largest school bond packages passed, two others partially passed and one failed to receive voter approval.
Nearly $17.5 billion worth of additional debt was approved by voters in these bonds, which taxpayers are now responsible for repaying.
Bonds must be repaid with interest by local property taxpayers. That’s why Texas law requires each ballot proposition to state: “THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.”
The results of these largest bonds are:
Dallas Independent School District
At $6.2 billion, the bond set a state record for the largest school bond package passed by voters. Four different propositions focused on districtwide upgrades to various facilities.
Proposition A: $5,928,820,000 ($12,199,108,651 with interest) for districtwide upgrades and renovations, replacing 26 campuses, student experience and physical education facilities, technology and security upgrades, and new buses. The bond also includes funding for “Energy Efficiency,” designating $15.750,000 for solar panels, solar farms, mini grid, and wind turbines.
The proposition passed with 74.30 percent approval.
Proposition B: $144,700,000 ($287,954,056 with interest) for technological updates.
The proposition passed with 74.78 percent approval.
Proposition C: $143,340,000 ($285,253,933 with interest) for debt service refinancing.
The proposition passed with 72.11 percent approval.
Proposition D: $26,250,000 ($52,236,208 with interest) for repairs and renovations for district pool facilities.
The proposition passed with 70.99 percent approval.
Less than 40,000 people, in a county of over 2.6 million, voted for the approval of these propositions which will cost taxpayers nearly $12.8 billion with interest.
Magnolia Independent School District
Voters overwhelmingly approved a school bond that will cost taxpayers nearly $946 million after interest, which will be used for several major projects. Projects include construction of a new high school and two elementary schools, security upgrades, new school buses, and renovations to district wide infrastructure and aging systems.
Voters approved the single Proposition A with more than 60 percent approval.
Birdville Independent School District
Voters approved both propositions in the Birdville ISD bond package, which will cost taxpayers nearly $979 million after interest.
The two proposition fund projects that include:
Proposition A: $453,340,500.00 ($948,031,558.00 after interest) for constructing and renovating school buildings and support facilities, districtwide security upgrades, and purchasing new school buses.
The proposition passed with 54.91 percent approval.
Proposition B: $22,147,000.00 ($30,945,750.00 after interest) for acquiring and updating instructional technology equipment.
The proposition passed with 54.54 percent approval.
Arlington Independent School District
Voters approved two out of the three school bond propositions found on the Arlington ISD ballot.
Proposition A, authorizing $743,762,802 with interest for school replacement, renovations and new buses, and Proposition B, authorizing an additional nearly $40,088,141 with interest for campus technological upgrades, were approved by voters.
Proposition A passed with 59 percent of voter approval and Proposition B passed with 59.39 percent approval.
Proposition C, which would have authorized another $53,507,932 with interest for several district-wide athletic facilities upgrades, was rejected by voters by 51.76 percent.
McAllen Independent School District
Voters approved the single bond proposition that will designate nearly $335 million for several improvement and upgrade projects throughout the district.
After including the nearly $337 million in interest, the bond will cost taxpayers nearly $652 million.
The proposition was passed by voters with 54.96 percent approval.
Lancaster Independent School District
Voters approved all four propositions as part of the bond package laid out by Lancaster ISD to be used for campus and athletic facilities, and technological upgrades.
Proposition A: $322,005,000 ($650,285,073.00 with interest) for designing, constructing, renovating, and acquiring and equipping school and support facilities, along with safety and security upgrades and the purchase of sites for school facilities.
The proposition passed with 60.27 percent approval.
Proposition B: $3,500,000 ($4,118,250.00 with interest) for updating instructional technology equipment.
The proposition passed with 61.96 percent approval.
Proposition C: $35,250,000 ($57,609,500 with interest) for constructing, renovating, and acquiring and equipping the indoor athletic facility at Lancaster High School.
The proposition passed with 57.16 percent approval.
Proposition D: $15,250,000 ($24,651,500 with interest) for renovating and upgrading district stadiums.
The proposition passed with 56.92 percent approval.
Pilot Point Independent School District
Voters did not pass a $295 million school bond proposed by Pilot Point ISD to fund new construction and upgrades to district campuses by 60.97 percent. Taxpayers would have been left paying nearly twice the principal amount after interest if passed.
Ponder Independent School District
Voters in Ponder ISD approved two of the three propositions placed on the ballot, which focus on school construction and technological upgrades for teachers and students.
Proposition A: $290,640,000 ($567,196,473 with interest) for the construction of two schools, expansion and renovations of several district schools and buildings, and the purchase of land for future schools.
The proposition passed with 50.58 percent approval.
Proposition C: $4,000,000 ($4,324,182 with interest) for a teacher and student device refresh.
The proposition passed with 53.76 percent approval.
Proposition B, which authorized $10,365,000 ($15,936,425 with interest) for expanding the existing stadium was not approved by voters by 56.19 percent.
Victoria Independent School District
Voters approved a single bond proposition that authorizes $240 million ($437 million with interest) for a mix of expansions, renovations, and new construction at elementary and secondary campuses around the district.
The proposition passed with 50.75 percent approval.
Fredericksburg Independent School District
Voters approved a $160 million school bond to fund the construction of a new high school on district-owned land, campus safety upgrades, HVAC replacement and improvement, vehicle additions, a partial roof replacement, and a school track and field facility addition.
With interest the bond will cost taxpayers nearly $339 million—double the amount listed on the ballot.
The proposition passed with 54.78 percent approval.
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